Familial pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Screening with endoscopic ultrasound

In the United States, pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fourth leading cause of adult cancer mortality. Ten percent of cases of pancreatic cancer are hereditary. With earlier detection, the prognosis could, theoretically, be improved. Researchers are studying families with an increased incidence of pancreatic cancer to identify a population at high risk for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Endosonography or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful in imaging the pancreas, making early detection a possibility. EUS screening in patients with a history of this disease may help identify a precursor lesion to pancreatic cancer.