Germline Rare Coding Variants and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Minority Populations.

Pathogenic germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene are rare and associated with highly penetrant familial melanoma and pancreatic cancer in non-Hispanic whites (NHW). To date, the prevalence and impact of rare coding variants (RCV) in racial minority groups remain poorly characterized. We examined the role of RCVs on the risk of pancreatic cancer among minority subjects.

Self-Reported Questionnaire Detects Family History of Cancer in a Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer death; approximately 5-10% of PDAC is hereditary. Self-administered health history questionnaires (HHQs) may provide a low-cost method to detail family history (FH) of malignancy. Pancreas Center patients were asked to enroll in a registry; 149 with PDAC completed a HHQ which included FH data.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: risk factors, screening, and early detection.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with over 38000 deaths in 2013. The opportunity to detect pancreatic cancer while it is still curable is dependent on our ability to identify and screen high-risk populations before their symptoms arise. Risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include multiple genetic syndromes as well as modifiable risk factors.

Absence of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia predicts poor survival after resection of pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), thought to represent the dominant precursor of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is often found synchronously adjacent to resected PDAC tumors. However, its prognostic significance on outcome after PDAC resection is unknown.

Methods: A total of 342 patients who underwent resection for PDAC between 2005 and 2010 at a single institution were identified and stratified according to highest grade of PanIN demonstrated surrounding the tumor.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations are frequently demonstrated in both high-risk pancreatic cancer screening and pancreatic cancer cohorts.

Background: Approximately 10% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is due to a genetic predisposition, including the breast and ovarian cancer syndrome germline mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2. Knowledge of specific genetic mutations predisposing to PDAC may enable risk stratification, early detection, and the development of effective screening and surveillance programs. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine the diagnostic yield of testing for BRCA1/2 germline mutations in a PDAC screening cohort and a PDAC cohort referred for genetic testing.