Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis: Are we being Pre-EMTed?

Genetics of pancreatic cancer: where are we now? Where are we going?

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents about 90% of all pancreatic tumors [1]. In Italy, the incidence of ductal adenocarcinoma is about 7,000 new cases per year and the mortality rate is about 95% [2]. For this reason, pancreatic cancer is the fifth cause of death from cancer in Italy [3]. The only chance of cure is represented by surgical resection, and it is feasible in less than one half of t...

Familial pancreatic cancer: where are we in 2003?

There is a sense of déjà vu for those of us involved in pancreatic cancer research. Many of us have had the opportunity to witness the buildup leading to spectacular discoveries of major genes in studies of hereditary colorectal cancer and breast cancer families. In the same way, we are tackling pancreatic cancer through the use of high-risk pedigrees, a task that is much more difficult with a ...

Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Are We Making Progress in Treatment?

Development of systemic treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) has been challenging. After fluorouracil, gemcitabine (GEM) became the treatment of choice based on its benefit of symptom relief. Many cytotoxic agents have been combined with GEM in search of regimens with improved survival benefit. However, there were only marginal benefits in people with good performance status. Recently...

Are we being seduced by a robot?

Pancreatic Metastasis from Prostate Cancer

The pancreas is an unusual location for metastases from other primary cancers. Rarely, pancreatic metastases from kidney or colorectal cancers have been reported. However, a variety of other cancers may also spread to the pancreas. We report an exceptional case of pancreatic metastasis from prostate cancer. Differences in management between primary and secondary pancreatic tumors make recogniti...