Detecting pancreatic cancer through changes in body composition and metabolism

Medical Xpress / Mayo Clinic News Network / Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology ^ | July 30, 2024 | Marla Broadfoot, Ph.D. / Derk C.F. Klatte et al

[ConservativeMind]

Pancreatic cancer is a formidable disease, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment. However, new research represents a promising step toward identifying biological signals or biomarkers that may aid in early detection.

By tracking changes in body composition and metabolism, researchers are working to identify high-risk patients who could benefit from selective screening for the disease.

"If we catch them early, at stage 1A, their five-year survival rate can be as high as 80%," says Yan Bi, M.D., Ph.D. "Detecting the cancer earlier is the best way to improve survival."

Dr. Bi teamed up with Derk Klatte, M.D., Ph.D. to examine medical records of patients with a common type of pancreatic cancer known as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had been diagnosed at Mayo Clinic between 2002 and 2021.

They analyzed abdominal CT scans and blood tests taken up to three years before the patients were diagnosed.

The researchers observed significant reductions in both fat surrounding the organs (visceral fat) and the fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat) as patients approached their diagnosis date. In addition, patients exhibited a notable drop in serum lipids—fats found in the blood—such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol and triglycerides.

Conversely, the study found that blood glucose levels increased up to three years before patients were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Additional findings revealed that patients also experienced a loss of muscle mass and bone volume, which became more pronounced in the last six months before their cancer was detected.

The team's early findings suggest that capturing the subtle yet significant body changes that occur as pancreatic cancer develops could be a key strategy in the fight against the disease. Recognizing these changes early could lead to timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving lives.

[ConservativeMind]

Strangely, concurrent, unexplained drops in LDL, fat volume, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and muscle and bone mass, coupled with blood glucose increases, was the general way pancreatic cancer was making itself known, before any formal diagnosis.

Be alert for such changes.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Lazamataz]

This is crucial information

[Nervous Tick]

>> unexplained drops in LDL, fat volume... Be alert for such changes.

Thanks for the tip. A glance at the waistband suggests I’m okay for the moment. ;-)

I agree, pancreatic cancer is a formidable disease.

[Brandonmark]

I personally feel that biomarkers and specifically SA 18-8 tumor markers should be included in pancreatic cancer diagnostic blood draws. However, insurance carriers will not cover the approximate $500 cost because most oncologists feel they are not reliable indicators because of too many false positives or false negatives. Yet after cancer detection, SA 18-8 is specifically used as the measurement tool to assist in treatment procedures. In my personal opinion, after pre-diabetic or diabetic onset, there needs to be a diagnostic biometric measurement within a few years, because of the direct relationship of insulin production in the pancreas and increases in glucose. It is obvious that early detection and treatment would increase the survival rate of diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients.

[Brandonmark]

SA18-8 = CA19-9

[JohnnyP]

Uh oh. My LDL and Trig are very low. I’ve been carnivore six years after being prediabetic. My a1c is up the last year, but I cheat on my diet once a week.

[Aria]

bookmark

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Bkmrk

[Chgogal]

Bookmark

[grumpygresh]

“If we catch them early, at stage 1A, their five-year survival rate can be as high as 80%,”

Obviously detection of CA or any terminal disease early in natural progression of the disease would result in a longer interval to death

The question really is whether the treatment actually extends lifespan or is it the early detection that creates a longer period of time in which the patient survives with the disease?

[Lurker]

Thanks. We lost a dear friend to pancreatic cancer two years ago. 5 months from diagnosis to dead.

L

[ConservativeMind]

You are fine, as that has a specific cause—your diet.