Refined TNM-staging for pancreatic adenocarcinoma - Real progress or much ado about nothing?

In order to provide optimal cancer care and prognostication, it is necessary to stage the disease. The 8th edition of the TNM-staging for exocrine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) system has refined size-based T-stages and number-based N-categories. However, several impediments to the value of this may exist.

Is There a Trojan Horse to Aggressive Pancreatic Cancer Biology? A Review of the Trypsin-PAR2 Axis to Proliferation, Early Invasion, and Metastasis.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of solid tumors and is associated with aggressive cancer biology. The purpose is to review the role of trypsin and effect on molecular and cellular processes potentially explaining the aggressive biology in pancreatic cancer. A narrative literature review of studies investigating trypsin and its effect on protease systems in cancer, with special reference to pancreatic cancer biology.

Observation or resection of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: An ongoing tug of war.

An increasing number of patients are being referred to pancreatic centres around the world due to often incidentally discovered cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The evaluation and management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is a controversial topic and with existing guidelines based on a lack of strong evidence there is discordance between centres and guidelines with regard to when to offer surgery and when to favour surveillance. The frequency, duration and modality of surveillance is also controversial as this is resource-consuming and must be balanced against the perceived benefits and risks involved.

The Biology of Aging and Cancer: A Brief Overview of Shared and Divergent Molecular Hallmarks.

Aging is the inevitable time-dependent decline in physiological organ function and is a major risk factor for cancer development. Due to advances in health care, hygiene control and food availability, life expectancy is increasing and the population in most developed countries is shifting to an increasing proportion of people at a cancer susceptible age. Mechanisms of aging are also found to occur in carcinogenesis, albeit with shared or divergent end-results.

Molecular and biological hallmarks of ageing.

Background: Ageing is the inevitable time-dependent decline in physiological organ function that eventually leads to death. Age is a major risk factor for many of the most common medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This study reviews currently known hallmarks of ageing and their clinical implications.