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A family history of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Background A 65-year-old white male with a family history of pancreatic cancer and a personal history of two episodes of acute pancreatitis was referred to our department in January 2005 by his primary-care physician for an assessment of his pancreatic cancer risk.

Investigations Physical exam, laboratory investigations, CT scan, endoscopic ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Diagnosis Familial pancreatic cancer

Management Subtotal pancreatectomy, referral to genetic counselor, and continued surveillance

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Figure 1: Endoscopic ultrasound image of the pancreas of a 65-year-old male with a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Figure 2: CT scan with coronal reconstruction in a patient with familial pancreatic cancer.
Figure 3: Histology from a subtotal pancreatectomy in a patient with pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, Grade III.

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Correspondence to Irving Waxman.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Keswani, R., Noffsinger, A. & Waxman, I. A family history of pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 586–591 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0604

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0604

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