Pancreatic cancer screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Reddy Kothagadi M.B.B.S[2]

In asymptomatic adults who are at average risk, the U.S.P.S.T.F recommends against routine screening for pancreatic cancer due to the lack of mortality benefit. In high-risk individuals, with familial pancreatic cancer or in those with genetic syndromes predisposing to pancreatic cancer, screening is suggested. In high- risk groups, screening by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are recommended.

• In asymptomatic adults who are at average risk, the U.S.P.S.T.F recommends against routine screening for pancreatic cancer due to the lack of mortality benefit.
• In high-risk individuals, with familial pancreatic cancer or in those with genetic syndromes predisposing to pancreatic cancer, screening is suggested. In high- risk groups, screening by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are recommended.^[1][2]

• Screening is recommended in individuals with the following conditions who are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer:^[3]
  • Hereditary pancreatitis
  • Familial pancreatic cancer
  • Peutz-Jeghers disease
  • Familial atypical mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM)
  • Cystic fibrosis of pancreas
  • Familial cancer syndromes such as:
    • Lynch syndrome
    • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
    • Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
    • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
    • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer – BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations