39: Diagnostic Methods for Detection of Pancreatic Cancers: A Meta-analysis

Music City Center 

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal cancers due to challenges with early diagnosis. Timely identification of PC is essential for improving prognosis and survival rates. In 2024, the National Cancer Institute reported 51,750 deaths from PC, making up 8.5% of all cancer deaths. Through a meta-analysis we aim to systematically compare the specificity and selectivity of various diagnostic tools, including biomarkers, imaging techniques, and biopsies.
Specificity is a methodology's ability to identify a true negative (correctly not diagnosing an individual with PC), while selectivity is the ability to identify a true positive (correctly diagnosing an individual with PC). Cancer Antigen 19-9 is common as a pancreatic cancer biomarker to improve screening effectiveness. Positron emission tomography imaging detects metabolic activity in tumors through radiotracers. Fine-needle aspiration biopsies are a minimally invasive approach to obtain tissue. Also, to improve diagnostic accuracy these methodologies, along with others, are used in conjunction. The goal is to determine which is most effective for diagnosing PC, and which can be used to diagnose PC at earlier stages.

Pancreatic Cancer

Diagnostic Tools

Meta-analysis

Cancer Antigen 19-9

Positron emission tomography

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy 

Section on Medical Devices and Diagnostics