Vnitr Lek 2012, 58(7-8):195-198

How to define people at a high risk of pancreatic cancer

P. Dítě^1,*, E. Geryk², M. Jelšíková¹, I. Novotný³, J. Trna⁴, A. Martínek¹, H. Nechutová⁴

¹ Akademické centrum gastroonkologie Lékařské fakulty OU Ostrava, vedoucí lékař prof. MUDr. Petr Dítě, DrSc.

² Ekonomický odbor FN Brno, ředitel MUDr. Roman Kraus, MBA

³ Gastroenterologické oddělení Masarykova onkologického ústavu Brno, vedoucí oddělení MUDr. Milana Šachtová, CSc. et Ph.D.

⁴ Interní gastroenterologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Aleš Hep, CSc.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease with exceptionally poor prognosis. This is mainly due to late diagnosis; surgical resection, as the only currently available curative method, cannot be performed if diagnosed late. It is known that 5-year survival does not exceed 5.0% and, similarly, the number of new diagnoses worldwide per calendar year equals the number of deaths per calendar year, i.e. 300,000 people. So far, no effective screening for pancreatic cancer is available in asymptomatic people. Therefore, identification of risk factors with respect to possible induction of cancerous growth, and their bearers, provides some hope. These factors include hereditary diseases such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, familial intestinal polyposis, melanoma mole, hereditary pancreatitis or family history of pancreatic cancer. In addition to the genetic factors, a number of initially benign diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus or obesity, are also among risk factors. An international consortium of representatives from 15 countries has recently developed this screening alternative with the aim to actively identify people who are at risk of pancreatic cancer, examine their family members and provide subsequent regular follow-up using mainly the CECT and endosonography.

Keywords: pancreatic cancer; risk factors; chronic inflammation; genetic disorders

Received: May 17, 2012; Published: July 1, 2012  Show citation