Abstract
Pancreatic cancer’s high mortality rate equates closely with its incidence, thereby showing the need for development of biomarkers of its increased risk and a better understanding of its genetics, so that high-risk patients can be better targeted for screening and early potential lifesaving diagnosis. Its phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity is extensive and requires careful scrutiny of its pattern of cancer associations, such as malignant melanoma associated with pancreatic cancer, in the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, due to the CDKN2A germline mutation. This review is designed to depict several of the hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes with particular attention given to the clinical application of this knowledge into improved control of pancreatic cancer.
Highlights
It is estimated that in the United States during 2009, 21,050 males and 21,420 females will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC), giving a total of 42,470
Low-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) are common in patients older than age 40. They ―...may be associated with lobular fibrosis and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the gastric type. This disease spectrum has been described in members of kindreds with familial pancreatic cancer...‖ The authors conclude that it would be helpful to target PanIN-2 lesions in the context of being the starting point of progressive neoplastic changes leading to invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Expresses predominantly the 85–90 kDa isoform of palladin, while normal pancreas and non-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Tumors both express the 65 kDa isoform...‖ they show ―...that palladin overexpression occurs primarily in tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs), and not the neoplastic epithelial cells, of human pancreatic tumors. These results suggest the possibility that upregulation of 85–90 kDa palladin may be a critical step in the acquisition of the activated fibroblast phenotype, which is key to the formation of a pro-invasive tumor microenvironment.‖ Clearly, palladin‘s role, if any, in familial/hereditary PC remains an intriguing research question
Summary
It is estimated that in the United States during 2009, 21,050 males and 21,420 females will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC), giving a total of 42,470. Poley et al [4] studied the use of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for screening of individuals at high risk of developing PC This included first-degree family members of affected individuals from. EUS showed branch-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) in seven individuals.‖ The authors concluded that screening of individuals at high risk for PC with EUS is feasible and safe. Their findings at first screening were considered to be high where asymptomatic cancer was identified in 7% and premalignant IPMN-like lesions in 16% in their series. Our purpose is to update the genetic epidemiology of PC in the interest of advancing progress in its early diagnosis, screening, and management
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
