Early Detection FAQs & Terminology
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What is pancreatic cancer resectability? Why is early detection important?
What is a susceptibility or risk biomarker?
What is CA19-9 tumour marker and blood test?
What does genetic makeup or genotype mean?
What are genetic disorders, syndrome & mutations?
What is molecular and genetic testing?
What is a pancreatic cancer cyst?
What are proteome and proteomics?
What is cascade testing/screening for pancreatic cancer?
What is precision medicine and its role in pancreatic cancer?
What is a randomized controlled trial?
What is an adaptive clinical trial?
What is a forward-looking prospective vs. retrospective research?
How is artificial intelligence used for the early detection of pancreatic cancer?
What are pancreatic cancer screening programs?
What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
Resectable pancreatic cancer means being able to be removed surgically. Usually, this means that the tumor is confined to areas typically removed surgically. Unresectable or inoperable means it is unable to be removed with surgery. The only possibly curative treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgical resection. It is critical to diagnose tumors at an early stage, when they are resectable, to improve the prognosis of this disease.
What is a fluid or liquid biopsy? Why pancreatic cancer early detection find liquid biopsies helpful?
A liquid biopsy is a test done on a blood sample to look for cancer cells from a tumor circulating in the blood or for pieces of DNA from tumor cells in the blood. A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage. It may also allow plan treatment or determine how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Taking multiple blood samples over time may also help doctors understand what kind of molecular changes are taking place in a tumor. Liquid biopsies are of particular relevance in clinical settings because of their minimal invasiveness, repeated sampling, and comprehensive depiction of full or multi-site tumor bulks compared to tissue samples. Many studies have established the possibility of liquid biopsies in pancreatic cancer, demonstrating that liquid biopsies can detect early emergency of pancreatic cancer cells, residual illness, and recurrence. (Sources: science.gov , moffitt.org)
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What is a fluid or liquid biopsy? Why pancreatic cancer early detection find liquid biopsies helpful?
A liquid biopsy is a test done on a blood sample to look for cancer cells from a tumour circulating in the blood or for pieces of DNA from tumour cells in the blood. A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage. It may also allow plan treatment or determine how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Taking multiple blood samples over time may also help doctors understand what kind of molecular changes are taking place in a tumour. Liquid biopsies are of particular relevance in clinical settings because of their minimal invasiveness, repeated sampling, and comprehensive depiction of full or multi-site tumour bulks compared to tissue samples. Many studies have established the possibility of liquid biopsies in pancreatic cancer, demonstrating that liquid biopsies can detect early emergency of pancreatic cancer cells, residual illness, and recurrence. (Sources: marycrowley.org , wstnn.com)
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A susceptibility biomarker or risk biomarker is a biomarker (aka tumour marker) associated with an increased, or in some cases, decreased chance of developing a disease or medical condition in an individual who, from a clinical standpoint, does not yet have that disease or medical condition. Screening the general population is one of the most effective ways of discovering malignancies at an early stage. However, due to the low prevalence of pancreatic cancer in the general community, the stratification of people who require additional testing using invasive and costly modalities is critical. As a result, minimally invasive methods utilising biomarkers and imaging techniques that can help diagnose pancreatic cancer early are critical. (Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov )
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A CA 19-9 blood test measures the amount of a protein called CA 19-9 (cancer antigen 19-9) in the blood. CA 19-9 is a type of biomarker/tumour marker. tumour markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. CA 19-9 is the most well-investigated and validated blood biomarker for the detection of symptomatic pancreatic cancer. CA 19-9 serum levels can help predict postoperative recurrence and provide critical information about prognosis, overall survival, and treatment response. (Sources: medlineplus.gov)
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A Genes is a fundamental unit of heredity that occupies a particular place on a chromosome. Each includes nucleotides arranged linearly. Most genes code for a specific protein or section of protein, resulting in a particular feature or function. Why do pancreatic cancer genetic testing? Individuals from FPC families should pursue genetic testing to see if a specific germline genetic mutation caused their family's pancreatic tumours. A germline mutation is a genetic change that occurs in every cell of a person's body from the moment they are born. (Sources: cancer.gov )
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The term genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism. Genome means the full set of genes of an organism. The term also can refer to the two alleles inherited for a particular gene. The genotype is expressed when the information encoded in the genes' DNA is used to make protein and RNA molecules. The expression of the genotype contributes to the individual's observable traits, called the phenotype. A lot of effort has gone into identifying the genetic landscape of pancreatic cancer in recent years. One of the key goals of pancreatic cancer research in the coming years will be to correlate genotype with phenotype characteristics by combining large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data based on the pancreatic cancer genome map. (Sources: unlockinglifescode.org )
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Genetic syndromes and genetic disorders are genetic problems or conditions that occur due to abnormalities in more than one genome. Genetic disorders can be passed from parent to child; hereditary or genetic disorders can result from changes in the individual's DNA or specific mutations. The genes mutated in pancreatic cancer include KRAS2, p16/CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4/DPC4. These are accompanied by a substantial compendium of genomic and transcriptomic alterations that facilitate cell cycle deregulation, cell survival, invasion, and metastases. (Sources: science.gov )
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Molecular diagnostics are more broadly complex laboratory techniques that identify and analyze genetic sequences, biomarkers, metabolites, and other molecules. Genetic testing can help identify genetic and chromosomal variations associated with disease risk states. Predictive genetic testing, also known as germline testing, can determine if a person has inherited genetic abnormalities related to pancreatic cancer. Doctors can use molecular profiling to detect the exact biochemical alterations that caused a healthy pancreatic cell to become malignant. tumour testing, genetic testing, and biomarker testing are other terms for the same thing. (Sources: medscape.com )
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KRAS is a gene that forms a protein in cell signaling pathways that control cell growth, cell maturation, and cell death. The natural, unaltered form of the gene is known as wild-type KRA. The mutated form of KRA is found in pancreatic cancer. These changes can cause cancer cells to grow and spread throughout the body. Knowing whether a patient's tumour has a wild type or a mutated KRA gene can help in planning cancer treatment. (Sources: cancer.gov )
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Both DNA and RNA carry genetic information, but there are a few differences between the two. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, RNA for ribonucleic acid. DNA is used to transfer the genetic code from the cell nucleus to the ribosome that makes proteins. Its function is the long-term storage of genetic information and the transmission of this information to other cells and new organisms. (Sources: thoughtco.com )
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Pancreatic cysts are a build-up of fluid that forms on the head, body, and tail of the pancreas. They are real cysts (non-inflammatory cysts) because they are lined with a special layer of cells responsible for secreting fluid into the cyst. Other cysts, pseudocysts, are inflammatory cysts that do not contain specialized cell lining. These cysts contain the digestive juices of the pancreas and are connected to the pancreatic ducts. The size of the pancreatic cysts ranges from several millimeters to several centimeters. Many of them are small and benign and do not produce symptoms, but some cysts can grow larger and cause symptoms, and others can be carcinogenic or carcinogenic. Pancreatic cysts are growths filled with fluid that develop in the pancreas. Different types of cysts contain different types of fluid. For example, pseudocysts, which form after an attack of acute pancreatitis, may have high concentrations of digestive enzymes such as amylase. Mucous cysts can contain mucus, a protein-containing fluid produced by mucous cells that form on the inside of the cyst mucosa. These small glandular organs are located in the abdomen, stomach, and intestine. In addition to producing digestive enzymes and endocrine (islet) cells, the pancreas also produces hormones such as insulin, which control blood sugar levels in the body. Pancreatic cysts can grow due to pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Advances in the quality. (Sources: kayawell.com , mskcc.org )
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The term proteome describes the entire set of proteins expressed in a particular genome, cell, tissue, or organism. The term proteomics refers to a technique used to analyze many proteins. Still, it currently includes approaches that provide information on the frequency, properties, interactions, activity, and structure of proteins in a sample. Proteomics is the most important tool for proteomics research. The rapid development of proteomics has been made possible by advances in analytical instrumentation and mass spectrometry. It has become the basis for leading scientific working groups and clinical research laboratories. Current proteomics research is defined by two types: cell mapping, in which proteomics aims to define protein-protein interactions and create an image of complex networks that form the intracellular signaling pathways of protein expression, and proteomics which monitors the global expression of a large number of proteins in all cell types and tissues to identify expression patterns under different conditions. (Sources: moam.info )
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Cascade testing, cascade genetic testing, or cascade screening refers to the process of expanding genetic testing to those who are at risk of inheriting a pathogenic variation found in a biological relative. As new pathogenic variant carriers are identified within the family, the process is repeated. If a patient is confirmed to have an inherited genetic mutation or if their results are uncertain, family members can be offered genetic testing through cascade testing. This allows family members to recognise their risk and, if necessary, be monitored for the disease. (Sources: cancer.gov )
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Precision medicine is a "developing approach to illness treatment and prevention that takes individual diversity in genes, environment, and lifestyle into account for each person." Doctors and researchers will be able to anticipate more correctly whether treatment and prevention methods for a specific disease will work in groups of people using this methodology. It differs from a one-size-fits-all strategy, in which disease treatment and prevention techniques are designed for the typical person with little regard for individual differences. Patients with pancreatic cancer who are matched to relevant molecularly guided treatments have a higher overall survival rate than those who do not have actionable mutations or who do not receive targeted therapy. Characterizing cancer mutations has the purpose of identifying medicines that target such mutations and slow cancer progression. However, there are few examples of the benefits in the real world. (Sources: medlineplus.gov )
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The randomised control trial (RCT) is a study in which participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups: the experimental group, which receives the intervention under study, and the comparison group, which receives a standard treatment. (Sources: adc.bmj.com )
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Clinical Trial Design: Adaptive vs. Non-Adaptive "A clinical trial design that allows for prospectively planned alterations to one or more components of the design depending on accumulated data from subjects in that study," according to the definition of adaptive design. Such options for change are not available in non-adaptive trial design. (Sources: bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com )
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Prospective investigations are those that are planned ahead of time and carried out over a period of time. Retrospective cohort studies use previously collected data in order to determine risk factors for certain diseases. Because the researchers are unable to go back and collect missing data, their interpretations are limited. (Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov )
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Researchers could take data from individuals who have previously been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer to discover potential biomarkers and risk groups that are more likely to get the disease in the future using artificial intelligence. The AI can discover possible predictors of pancreatic cancer and screen out those at high risk using routinely gathered data such as CT/MRI, health problems, pathology, and blood tests. (Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov )
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What Are Pancreatic Screening Services? Although there are no universal screening tests for pancreatic cancer, researchers investigate those who have a high risk of developing the disease. Screening approaches for persons at high risk are especially crucial until a viable early detection test is developed. (Sources: pancan.org )
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What is an endoscopic ultrasound, and how does it work? Endoscopic ultrasonography is a procedure that uses a flexible telescope to examine the lining of your esophagus (gullet), stomach, and duodenum. The endoscopist uses the telescope to scan tissues underneath the lining of your intestines, such as your bile ducts and pancreas. (Sources: mayoclinic.org )
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Pancreatic cysts are fluid-filled sacs on or in the pancreas. The pancreas is a big organ located beneath the stomach that generates hormones and enzymes that aid the digestion process. Typically, pancreatic cysts are discovered during imaging testing for another issue. The most common types of pancreatic cysts are nonneoplastic and neoplastic cysts. (Sources: mayoclinic.org )
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Normal genes that slow cell division, fix DNA errors, or warn cells when to die are known as tumour suppressor genes (a process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death). When tumour suppressor genes malfunction, cells can proliferate out of control, leading to cancer. (Sources: , )
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