Dr. Chiorean on the Role of Genetic Testing in Pancreatic Cancer

Elena Gabriela Chiorean, MD, physician, clinical director, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, professor of medicine, University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, clinical research director, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, UW Medicine, professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discusses the role of genetic testing in pancreatic cancer.

All patients with pancreatic cancer should undergo germline genetic testing to identify hereditary genetic alterations in the blood, explains Chiorean. Germline mutations may inform prognosis, indicate available targeted therapy options, and lend insight into recommended screening options, Chiorean says.

Additionally, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer should undergo somatic testing to identify mutations that are not present in the germline mutational profile, concludes Chiorean.