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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2014; 20(9): 2358-2364
Published online Mar 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i9.2358
Screening and early detection of pancreatic cancer in high risk population
Ming-Chu Chang, Jau-Min Wong, Yu-Ting Chang
Ming-Chu Chang, Jau-Min Wong, Yu-Ting Chang, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 101, Taiwan
Author contributions: Chang MC, Wong JM and Chang YT designed the study; Chang MC and Chang YT wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Yu-Ting Chang, MD, MS, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan South Road, Taipei 101, Taiwan. yutingchang@ntu.edu.tw
Telephone: +886-2-23123456 Fax: +886-2-23633658
Received: October 26, 2013
Revised: January 5, 2014
Accepted: January 20, 2014
Published online: March 7, 2014
Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is a serious growing health issue in developed countries. For patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the five year survival rate is below 5%. One major important reason leads to the poor survival rate is lack of early detection of pancreatic cancer. Over 80% of the patients are diagnosed in advanced disease stages. Screening for pancreatic cancer is a desirable option for high risk individuals to allow early detection and treatment of curable pancreatic neoplasms at a pre-invasive stage. This article highlights the need, endpoint, population, method, diagnostic yield, and the problems of current screening programs.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer screening, High risk population, Pancreatic neoplasm, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Core tip: Screening for pancreatic cancer is a desirable option for high risk individuals to allow early detection and treatment of curable pancreatic neoplasms at a pre-invasive stage. This article highlights the need, endpoint, population, method, diagnostic yield, and the problems of current screening programs.