Clinical features of asymptomatic individuals undergoing elective evaluation for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Routine examinations with ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography, MRCP, and blood tests were conducted to diagnose pancreatic cancer early in asymptomatic individuals since October 2017. Since health insurance did not cover these examinations, all participants underwent this evaluation at their own expense. By April 2020, 114 had been evaluated. If an abnormality was found, subsequent examinations such as contrast CT scan, medical treatment and observation were covered by health insurance. Reviewing the results, we found that 51% of healthy individuals had pancreatic abnormalities. Forty-two (37%) individuals with BD-IPMN and 11 (8%) with early chronic pancreatitis were identified. EUS and MRCP were generally superior for the detection of pancreatic lesions, but the detection rate using other modalities was higher depending on the individual. This study should be useful to establish a surveillance program for individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.