Predictive And Prognostic Factors In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most commonly diagnosed type of pancreatic cancer, with approximately 95% of all pancreatic cancers diagnosed being PDAC. Cancers of the pancreas are also notorious for a very low rate of survival, with recent reports showing 5 year survival rate being less than 5%, and PDAC being the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide, therefore the ability of clinicians to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers is of vital importance in improving patient outcomes.

Due to the location and function of the pancreas, metastasis of the cancer from the liver into the lymph nodes, liver, lung, bones via either the circulatory system or lymphatic system emphasizes further the importance to identify biomarkers that can help make predictions about the progression, and metastasis of the cancer to other organs within the body sooner than has been historically possible. Currently, early diagnosis of PDAC among other pancreatic cancers is difficult owing to the current absence of validated screening techniques, and established reliable biomarkers, as of now CA 19-9 is the only approved biomarker however is known for limited specificity and sensitivity.