BRCA and screening for pancreatic cancer – pro
Certain germline mutations are known to give rise to hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes including BRCA2, p16,STK11/LKB1,and PRSS1. There are several other conditions that incrase the risk of pancreatic cacner but this post will focus on BRCA. BRCA2 is a key regulator of gene transcription.
Mutation in this gene results in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. Over the last 10 years it has been noted that some families with BRCA2 mutations have a high incidence of pancreatic cancer. There may be some utility to Transesophageal Ultrasound. One retrospective report concluded that screening of high-risk individuals is warranted due to the number of significant asymptomatic pancreatic neoplastic lesions found in this cohort of individuals. To my knowledge, similar work has not been done with CT scans.
Teresa A. Brentnall MD
CANCER SURVEILLANCE OF PATIENTS FROM FAMILIAL PANCREATIC CANCER KINDREDS Medical Clinics of North America
Volume 84, Issue 3, 1 May 2000, Pages 707-718
Nccn.org, Pancreatic Cancer
http://www.moffitt.org/CCJRoot/v15n4/pdf/280.pdf