Abstract
Background: Brush cytology for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancy has an overall sensitivity of 50%. Accurate and specific markers are therefore needed for the optimal evaluation of pancreaticobiliary strictures. Telomerase activity is present in 85% to 90% of all human cancers. We sought to determine the utility of in situ hybridization for telomerase RNA in endoscopic brushings for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancy. Methods: Endoscopic brushings from 18 patients with pancreatic or biliary strictures were evaluated by routine cytology and in situ hybridization for telomerase RNA. Results: Eight of 18 strictures were malignant. Cytology was positive in 5 patients, whereas telomerase RNA was positive in 6. All malignancies were diagnosed by either cytology or telomerase RNA; however, both studies were positive in only 3. There were no false-positive results by either technique. Conclusion: The detection of telomerase RNA in endoscopic brushings may be an important adjunct to cytology for cancer diagnosis in pancreaticobiliary strictures.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 402-405 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Gastrointestinal endoscopy |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Gastroenterology