Michael Wallace, MD, MPH from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, USA discusses his article “Polarization gating spectroscopy of normal-appearing duodenal mucosa to detect pancreatic cancer.”

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that pancreatic cancer is detectable from the normal appearing duodenum, using sophisticated spectroscopy methods. The concept is that cancers produce a field effect, even in the normal appearing adjacent tissues. We used this to determine if upper endoscopy alone, with a simple optical fiber sensor, could detect the cancer in hopes of provide a less invasive method of screening.

We felt it was important to conduct this study because it extends recent observations in the colon and other hollow organs that show a field effect around cancer. Furthermore, it opens now options for cancer detection and screening.

The case control study showed that pancreatic cancer patients had detectable changes in oxygenation of the adjacent duodenal mucosa compared with controls. We are continuing an ongoing definitive multicenter trial to provide more robust estimates of accuracy, particularly in early pancreatic cancer.

Find the abstract for this article here.

The information presented in Endoscopedia reflects the opinions of the authors and does not represent the position of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). ASGE expressly disclaims any warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, and is not liable for damages of any kind in connection with the material, information, or procedures set forth.