Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 15, 2003; 9(1): 188-191
Published online Jan 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i1.188
K-ras gene mutation in the diagnosis of ultrasound guided fine-needle biopsy of pancreatic masses
Min Zheng, Lian-Xin Liu, An-Long Zhu, Shu-Yi Qi, Hong-Chi Jiang, Zhu-Ying Xiao
Min Zheng, Zhu-Ying Xiao, Department of Ultrasound, the First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Lian-Xin Liu, An-Long Zhu, Hong-Chi Jiang, Department of Surgery, the First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Shu-Yi Qi, Department of VIP, the First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. An-Long Zhu, Department of Surgery, the First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, No.23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China. anlone@163.com
Telephone: +86-451-4213684 Fax: +86-451-3670428
Received: July 8, 2002
Revised: July 23, 2002
Accepted: August 2, 2002
Published online: January 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the utility of K-ras mutation analysis of ultrasound guided fine-needle aspirate biopsy of pancreatic masses.

METHODS: Sixty-six ultrasound guided fine-needle biopsies were evaluated by cytology, histology and K-ras mutation. The mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene was detected by artificial restriction fragment length polymorphisms using BstN I approach.

RESULTS: The presence of malignant cells was reported in 40 of 54 pancreatic carcinomas and K-ras mutations were detected in 45 of the 54 FNABs of pancreatic carcinomas. The sensitivity of cytology and K-ras mutation were 74% and 83%, respectively. The speciality of cytology and K-ras mutation were both 100%. The sensitivity and speciality of K-ras mutation combined with cytology were 83% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: High diagnostic accuracy with acceptable discomfort of FNAB make it useful in diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Ultrasound guided fine-needle biopsy is a safe and feasible method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic carcinoma has the highest K-ras mutation rate among all solid tumors. The mutation rate of K-ras is about 80%-100%. The usage of mutation of codon 12 of K-ras oncogene combined with cytology is a good alternative for evaluation of pancreatic masses.

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