Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers. Lethal because it usually is advanced before being found. Lethal simply because it is an aggressive form of cancer, regardless of when it is found.

The treatment options for pancreatic cancer do not begin to be what is available for other cancers. It simply is one of the meanest cancers around.

If you have any friend or family member who has died from it, you can appreciate the importance of what an early detection test could mean.

Earlier diagnosis may enable doctors to extend the lives of pancreatic patients.

Right now, most of them die quickly in comparison to other cancer patients.

With all of that, it is important to note that preliminary evaluation of a blood test showed that the test found a majority of stage 1 tumors—as early as possible.

There is no way to know if or when this blood test may be available. I always pause before writing about any stage 1 advance, knowing how desperately people hope for what’s being tested today.

Cross your fingers and hope for this test continues to perform well as it goes through trials.

Medpage Today

“A blood test for pancreatic cancer identified a majority of stage I tumors in a preliminary evaluation involving tumor specimens.”

Source: Medpage Today, January 22, 2010

Citation: Primary source: Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium; ASCO GI 2010.