Pancreatic cancer developed early detection

New diagnostic procedure for cancer screening to prevent unnecessary surgery

03/21/2014

Swedish researchers have developed a new method for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. Thus, a subsonic sound of cysts in the organ, along with a fluid assay, provides a 97 percent confidence that they develop into malignant tumors. So far, pancreatic cancer is usually discovered at a very late stage, because for a long time no specific symptoms occur. The so-called pancreatic carcinoma has the lowest survival rates among all cancers.

Improved procedure for the early detection of pancreatic cancer increases chances of recovery
Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed very late, if other organs are already affected. As a result, the chances of recovery of those affected decrease significantly. Thus, 19 of 20 patients with malignant tumors of the pancreas die of the disease. Every year around 15,000 new cases are diagnosed in Germany. Consequently, the need for a better early detection method is high.

The Swedish physician Karolina Jabbar from the Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg and her team developed a new diagnostic method in a study that achieves 97% certainty in the detection of pancreatic carcinoma. The researchers report in the renowned specialist magazine „Journal of the National Cancer Institute“. According to this, malignant tumors could be detected, treated and even stopped early with the new method.

Ultrasound and fluid diagnostic screening achieves 97% confidence in diagnosis
Unlike conventional endoscopy, the pancreas is better imaged by ultrasound so that more targeted fluid samples can be taken. Although cysts that could develop into malignant tumors, could also with a „Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)“, but „the problem is that imaging alone can not tell which cysts are at risk of developing into cancer“, Shares the University of Gothenburg. „Therefore, it is often necessary to puncture the cysts and look for tumor markers in the fluid, but even these studies are not reliable.“

The new method investigates the presence of so-called mucins in the cyst fluid. It is a structural component of mucus, the increased production of which is associated with the occurrence of pancreatic cancer - and other cancers. With the new procedure „The researchers were able to make the correct diagnosis in 77 out of 79 cysts“, writes the university. „That's an extraordinarily good result for a diagnostic test.“

The new, gentler method could prevent researchers from doing unnecessary operations. In addition, the procedure should help to differentiate patients with urgent surgical needs from those whose cysts can be treated later. The procedure could be used in practice in just five years. (Ag)