To determine the efficacy of early integrated palliative care on patient reported quality of life at 12 weeks using the FACT in patients with newly diagnosed incurable lung or non-colorectal gastrointestinal cancer

Through this project we are planning to evaluate minority patients affected by pancreatic cancer that carry genetic mutations that have been previously linked to the disease in familial studies, and those potentially at high risk of developing the disease based on family history. We are also going to study clinical characteristics such as age and stage of the disease at the time of presentation, treatment choices such as referral to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and presence of other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and smoking.

An accurate, non-invasive method to identify malignant IPMN is needed, as endoscopic ultrasounds are invasive and operator-dependent. PET/CT is already being utilized in the utility, management, and follow-up surveillance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we are hypothesizing that PET/CT will also be an effective method for distinguishing malignant from benign IPMN.

Retrospective and Prospective data collection. This study proposes to evaluate pancreatic surgery and treatment performed at CUMC over the past 20 years by examining various patient, pathology, and operation subgroups.

Secondary data analysis to be conducted within the prospective observational study, also known as the, PREDICT cohort (IRB #AAAA6154) protocol. In this analysis we will examine the association of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with epigenetics and modifiable factors (e.g., diet, lifestyle) using previously collected samples and questionnaire data. Our analysis will examine the association between DNA methylation (epigenetics) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Retrospective observational study to determine the proportion of patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer and other malignancies among patients who have IPMN.

Retrospective observational study to determine the frequency, grade and multifocality of PanIN lesions in the surgical specimens of patients who have undergone resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Retrospective data review of subjects with pancreas cancer and patients at increased risk for pancreas cancer.

Determine the combined frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in both Ashkenazi Jewish pancreatic cancer patients and across all pancreatic cancer patients.

Retrospective observational study to determine the frequency of the various modalities of local invasion by pancreatic adenocarcinoma.