Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer Through Metabolomic Analysis

A diagnostic test based on metabolites, bio-molecules produced during biological processes, has been developed that can be used as to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages.

The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing and releasing enzymes needed in the absorption of food. It is also the organ where insulin and glucagon (hormones that help regulate the body's blood sugar) are made.

The pancreas is a long gland located behind the abdomen. Detecting and diagnosing pancreatic cancer is difficult because of the organ's location. Early stages of the cancer does not cause any symptoms and the middle stage symptoms are usually varied and non-specific. Only in its later stages that pancreatic cancer is diagnosed.

Metabolomics is the science of determining the metabolome of a biological sample. Metabolomes are the collection of small organic molecules in a cell. Metabolomes represent the collection of all metabolites in a biological cell, tissue, organ or organism and are the result of cellular processes. Researchers have developed a way to use metabolimic analysis to detect early stages of pancreatic cancer.

On a related note, a 15 year old student from Maryland recently won the $75,000 top science prize for discovering a simple pancreatic test that is 90% effective (see embedded video).

Study On Beginnings Of Pancreatic Cancer Lead To Early Detection and Treatment

Researchers are studying the events leading to the formation of tumors in pancreatic cancer to understand the beginnings of the disease. This may lead to early detection and treatment of the disease.

Pancreatic Carcinoma (cancer of the pancreas) is one of the most difficult of cancers to treat. This type of cancer is usually detected in its later stages making recovery from it difficult to impossible.

The pancreas is a long gland that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon. What makes detection for cancer of the pancreas difficult is that the gland is located behind the abdomen which is difficult for instruments to get to for observation.

Most of the symptoms for pancreatic cancer is nondescript such as mild pain, weight loss, fatigue and weakness, and loss of appetite. It is only when the symptoms progress that the disease is evident. One telling symptom is jaundice which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin. This happens because the bile duct is being blocked by the cancer.

High Sun Exposure Lowers Risk For Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Pancreatic cancer is known as the silent killer. Early stages of this disease does not cause any symptoms and the middle stage symptoms are usually varied and not specific. Only until the disease has far advanced that it is diagnosed.

The disease garnered public attention when Dirty Dancing actor Patrick Swayze and Apple Founder and CEO Steve Jobs both suffered pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas is a large organ found behind the stomach. It is somewhat shaped like a fish and has an orange-yellow color. The pancreas makes and releases enzymes that help the body absorb food.

The pancreas also produces insulin and glucagon which help control the body's blood sugar levels. As such, people who are diagnosed with diabetes have a higher risk of getting pancreatic cancer than others.

It is unknown what causes pancreatic cancer but some people are more susceptible and at risk to this than others. These are:

• Diabetics
• Smokers
• Elderly people (women are slightly more at risk than men)
• People with chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer

High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual's birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21.

Rachel Neale, Ph.D., principal investigator at Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Queensland, Australia, presented the results of a population-based, case-control study that adds to the already conflicting data about sun exposure, vitamin D gained from sun exposure and cancer risk.

"Several ecological studies, including one conducted in Australia, have suggested that people living in areas with high sun exposure have lower risk for pancreatic cancer," Neale said. "However, some studies of circulating vitamin D indicate that people with high vitamin D are at increased risk, and one study of vitamin D intake supports this increased risk."