Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Clinical Trials

Jefferson Pancreas Tumor Registry

This is a Jefferson Pancreatic Tumor Registry that consists of patient, family and non-family questionnaires to be completed to collect and analyze data about family history, demographic variables and environmental/ occupational risk factors of current pancreatic cancer patients. They will also be utilizing DNA information from tissues already collected from the approved Tissue Banking protocol (06U.76). Blood samples will be collected from non Pancreatic Cancer patients.

Site(s) and/or Type: Pancreas

Stage:

Principal Investigator: Yeo, Charles

Patient Eligibility

All patients age 18 years or older,
Confirmed diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The diagnosis may be conformed in one of 3 ways:
1. Tissue sample diagnosis at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital,
2. Pathology tissue slides from an outside institution, or
3. Death certificate confirming diagnosis of pancreas cancer. When possible, a certified copy of the original death certificate will be obtained.
Patients must be residents of the U.S. or Canada
Patient, family member, or caregiver must be able to give informed consent
Patient,family,member,or knowledgeable significant other must complete the JPTR questionnaire
Unaffected offspring or sibling of the index case may enroll in JPTR, after giving informed consent and completing the questionnaire
Cognitively impaired individuals may be entered in the Registry, even if the patient, family member, or knowledge significant other is unable to complete the questionnaire, for DNA specimen analysis only*

Protocol Treatment
If you agree to participate in the Jefferson Pancreas Tumor Registry, you may be asked to give: 15 cc (3 tablespoons) of blood to the Registry for testing. In some instances these DNA samples will be screened for genes known to be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (these genes are called BRCA2, p16, PRSS1, hMLH1 and STK11). In some instances these DNA samples will be used to identify undiscovered genes associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Blood (about three tablespoons) will be collected while you are under anesthesia prior to the surgery (if undergoing surgery) and stored using de-identified codes. Keys to the codes will be kept separate from samples. Additionally, we will collect blood samples prior to your leaving the hospital as well as at your follow-up office visit. If you are not undergoing surgery, these samples can be collected by your family doctor or clinic and mailed to us. If you agree to either of these tests, we will mail you a set of specific instructions to ensure that it is placed in the proper type of collection container and sent in the proper way.