The Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: Whom and How?

Abstract

The 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer is extremely low till now, because resectable cases are less than 20% and 5-year survival rate after surgical resection is only 10-20%. Early detection and curative surgery are important to prolong the survival which was well proved by colon cancer screening test in general population. However, screening test for general population can not prove the survival benefit in pancreatic cancer. So, many studies were performed for the development of screening strategies in high-risk groups of pancreatic cancer. The following were current candidates for screening: first-degree relatives of patients with pancreatic cancer from a familial pancreatic cancer kindred with at least two affected firstdegree relatives; patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome; and p16, BRCA2 and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer mutation carriers with ≥ 1 affected firstdegree relative. The recommended screening tests are endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Screening is recommended at age 50 or 10 year earlier than the onset age of pancreatic cancer among family. However, the screening interval is not established and there is great disagreement as to which screening abnormalities were of sufficient concern to for surgery to be recommended. Korean J Pancreatobiliary 2015;20(4):198-203