OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing in detecting mutationof the K-ras gene at codon 12 in cytologic specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer.METHODS: Thirty-five patients treated at Changhai Hospital, Shanghai between 1999 and 2001 wereenrolled. Their cells obtained by pancreatic duct brushing during endoscopic retrogradetholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were suspended with phosphate buffer solution (PBS). DNA of thecells was extracted and mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 detected by means of PCR-SSCP.RESULTS: The K-ras gene mutation rate of pancreatic cancer was 70%, which was higher than that ofchronic pancreatitis (14%, P0.05). K-ras gene mutation was not found in patients with pancreaticcystorcarcinoma and duodenum carcinoma. As to the location of pancreatic cancer, no significantdifference was observed between the head, the body and tail. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy ofpancreatic duct brushing in detecting pancreatic cancer was 70%, 94%, and 83%, respectively.CONCLUSION: K-ras analysis of pancreatic brushing samples is helpful in the diagnosis of patients withearly pancreatic cancer.
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