Cited by 255Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology ResearchPancreatitis Pathology and TreatmentGlobal Cancer Incidence and Screening

Screening for Pancreatic Cancer: Why, How, and Who?

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Poruk, Katherine E., Firpo, Matthew A., Adler, Douglas G., Mulvihill, Sean J.·2013·Annals of Surgery

Abstract

In Brief Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality in the United States, with 5-year survival rates for patients with resectable tumors ranging from 15% to 20%. However, most patients presenting with distant metastases, are not resectable, and have a 5-year survival rate of close to 0%. This demonstrates a need for improved screening to identify pancreatic cancer while the tumor is still localized and amenable to surgical resection. Studies of patients with pancreatic tumors incidentally diagnosed demonstrate longer median survival than tumors discovered only when the patient is symptomatic, suggesting that early detection may improve outcome. Recent evidence from genomic sequencing indicates a 15-year interval for genetic progression of pancreatic cancer from initiation to the metastatic stage, suggesting a sufficient window for early detection. Still, many challenges remain in implementing effective screening. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer relies on developing screening methodologies with highly sensitive and specific biomarkers and imaging modalities. It also depends on a better understanding of the risk factors and natural history of the disease to accurately identify high-risk groups that would be best served by screening. This review summarizes our current understanding of the biology of pancreatic cancer relevant to methods available for screening. At this time, given the lack of proven benefit in this disease, screening efforts should probably be undertaken in the context of prospective trials. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a largely fatal disease with increased survival for patients with localized disease compared with those with distant metastases. A critical evaluation of early detection strategies is presented in light of results from more common cancers. Improved outcomes may be attained by focusing screening on high-risk groups; however, these efforts are as yet unproven.

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Crossref · 10.1097/sla.0b013e31825ffbfb

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  • Screening high-risk groups increases the detection rate and reduces false-positive results.

    “Screening individuals in high-risk groups increases the rate of detection and reduces false-positive results.8”

    From Early detection of pancreatic cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [8]

  • Incidentally diagnosed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is associated with longer median survival than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosed when patients have symptoms.

    “Similarly, incidentally diagnosed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (ie, discovered serendipitously while screening or checking for other diseases) is associated with longer median survival than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that is diagnosed when patients have symptoms.8”

    From Early detection of pancreatic cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [8]

  • Patients diagnosed with stage 1 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma survive longer than patients diagnosed at more advanced stages.

    “Patients diagnosed with stage 1 disease experience longer survival times than patients diagnosed with disease at more advanced stages.8”

    From Early detection of pancreatic cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [8]

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Authors
Poruk, K. E., Firpo, M. A., Adler, D. G., & Mulvihill, S. J.
Affiliations
University of Utah (US)
Corresponding author
Poruk, Katherine E.
Venue
Annals of Surgery
Published
2013-01
Volume
257
Issue
1
Pages
17-26
ISSN
0003-4932 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2050410927
Cited by
249
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annals of Surgery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (T35HL007744)
  • National Cancer Institute (U01CA151650, R03CA115225, U01CA15165, R33CA155586, P30CA042014)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
Keywords
pancreatic cancer, cancer screening, early detection, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, biomarkers, imaging modalities, high-risk groups, risk factors, natural history of disease, resectability, survival
MeSH terms
Adenocarcinoma, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Pancreatic Neoplasms, Precancerous Conditions, Risk Factors, Sensitivity and Specificity, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Biomarkers, Tumor, United States, Endosonography, Early Detection of Cancer

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