"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
A study looking at PET-CT scans to diagnose cancer of the pancreas (PET PANC)
Cancer type:
Pancreatic cancer
Status:
Results
Phase:
Other
This study was to see if a type of body scan called a PET-CT scan improved the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
It was open for people to join between 2011 and 2013. Researchers reported the results in 2018.
More about this trial
There are several tests and scans to diagnose cancer of the pancreas. It is important that these are as accurate as possible. This is because the results will affect treatment and possibly the outcomes of that treatment.
Doctors already use PET-CT scans across the health service. But when researchers did this study they didn’t know how useful they would be in helping to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
In this study, everyone had:
- routine tests including a
CT scan 
, MRI scan and a camera test (an endoscopy - a PET-CT scan
The main aim of this study was to work out if having a PET-CT could improve diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Summary of results
This study suggested that a PET-CT with routine tests diagnosed suspected pancreatic cancer more accurately.
589 people with suspected pancreatic cancer took part.
Results
The researchers found that adding a PET-CT scan improved the accuracy of standard tests.
- In 56 people it was more accurate in working out where the cancer had spread to (this is called
staging ) - It influenced treatment in 250 people (45%)
- It showed that 58 people (20%) didn’t need surgery
It didn’t work as well for people diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis or other pancreatic tumours that weren’t cancer.
Cost
The researchers looked at how much the PET-CT scans cost. They thought that it would be cost effective to have the scans on the NHS. Especially for the group of people who might need surgery.
Conclusion
This study suggested that adding a PET-CT scan improved the diagnosis of suspected pancreatic cancer. It influenced treatment in just under half of the people. And correctly staged the cancer in more people than using standard tests alone.
Where do these results come from
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed ) but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the research team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
) but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the research team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Professor Paula Ghaneh
Supported by
NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust
University of Liverpool
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
7618
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
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