Authors' recommendations: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Early warning signs of pancreatic cancer are nonspecific and uncommon, which makes early detection difficult. The cancer has often metastasized by the time of diagnosis, leading to a survival rate of less than 4%. Diagnosis is made by computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), biopsy, or a combination of these methods. Treatment may involve tumor resection, chemoradiation, or palliative care. Approximately 5% to 10% of pancreatic cancer is thought to be hereditary. Inherited predisposition to pancreatic cancer may be part of a hereditary cancer syndrome, such as familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, Peutz- Jeghers syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). However, there is also evidence to suggest a role of at least one major gene to increase risk of pancreatic cancer without a risk of other cancers. The breast cancer susceptibility 2 (BRCA2) and partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2) genes are estimated to account for less than 20% of familial aggregation of pancreatic cancer. Identification of pathogenic variants in these genes causing increased risk for pancreatic cancer in a particular family may also predict other cancer risks, improving options for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from:http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=14571

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

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Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2013 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc