A Component of Bile Can Identify Pancreatic Cancer

A Component of Bile Can Identify Pancreatic Cancer

Doctors may soon use bile extracted from the pancreas to distinguish pancreatic cancer from other disorders affecting the organ. As one of the nation’s foremost cancer surgeons, Anton Bilchik MD was especially interested in new research presented at the 78th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology that showed the bile marker known as vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, can correctly identify pancreas cancer accurately in 93 percent of cases. Each year, doctors diagnose more than 45,000 people in the United States with pancreatic cancer; early detection with a tool like VEGF improves treatment outcomes and saves lives.

The pancreas works with the liver and gall bladder to break down food. These three organs share the common bile duct to send bile and other fluids into the intestines. Tumors that appear in the common bile duct and the pancreas cause jaundice – or the yellowing of the skin and eyes – as well as biliary obstruction, which is a blockage in the bile duct. Other conditions can cause jaundice and biliary obstruction, often making it difficult for a doctor to determine whether a patient has pancreatic cancer or another condition.

Currently, doctors use a variety of diagnostic tools to rule out pancreatic cancer, including cross-sectional imaging, endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration, and an advanced diagnostic technique known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP. Unfortunately, these tests are not conclusive for some patients.

Scientists in the new research looked at the VEGF levels in bile aspirated from the pancreas of 53 patients undergoing ERCP: 15 had pancreatic cancer; 9 had cancer of the bile duct; 29 had other conditions affecting the pancreas and bile duct. Patients with a VEGF level greater than 0.5 ng/mL were more likely to have pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Anton Bilchik will continue to follow this research and provide updated information as it becomes available.