The predictive value of a positive test could be improved if a population at substantially higher risk could be identified. If a high risk is established, studies of screening efficacy might be warranted. Effectiveness of Prevention and Treatment Primary prevention of pancreatic cancer may be possible through clinical efforts directed at the use of tobacco products. In part, this rate may reflect the fact that a proportion of patients with localized disease cannot be operated on because of concomitant medical problems, advanced age or other reasons. Additional randomized controlled trials of adjuvant therapy are needed to confirm its effectiveness in improving survival in patients with early pancreatic carcinoma.
New modalities being explored include immunotherapy and hormonal therapy.
No organizations have published recommendations to perform routine screening for pancreatic cancer in asymptomatic persons. Conclusions and Recommendations Even though smoking appears to only modestly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, smoking cessation appears to be the only intervention for which there is evidence of a reduction in risk. No other risk factors for pancreatic cancer have been established so no other effective primary preventive measures are known. The occurrence of pancreatic cancer in patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus should be investigated to determine if these patients are a high risk group. Nutritional studies should be carried out to explore possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer.