Genomics Could Improve Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

New research has shown that if doctors identify the genetics of pancreatic cancer in each individual patient that there could be a boost in survival rates.  Each pancreatic tumor is different and can not always be treated with the same type of chemotherapy.  The 5-year survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients is less than 9 percent.  This is because not all tumors can be operated on since it is typically found too late, also meaning that chemotherapy does not always work.   It is stated in the article that developing a molecular profile of each patients tumor could help determine which course of treatment is the best option for the patient.  This type of treatment is already in use in some institutions.  There has also been evidence that pancreatic cancer is hereditary in some cases.