1. Pancreatic CT perfusion with a biofeedback breathing belt worn by the participant, and using novel post-processing techniques, is a reliable method which can be used to differentiate between pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, and autoimmune pancreatitis.
2. Pancreatic CT perfusion can be used to monitor patients undergoing decompression treatment (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement) for painful chronic pancreatitis, and the change in the pancreatic perfusion parameters correlate with the change in the pain parameters (pain scale and analgesic use).
3. Pancreatic CT perfusion parameters can be calculated using surrogate scan data sets at specific time points to replace the continuous scanning.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. a. Suspected pancreatic adenocarcinoma, age 35 to 99 years.
. a. Chronic pancreatitis with chronic pain, age 18 to 99 years. Must be a confirmed diagnosis by either CT, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Exclusion criteria
. b. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors less than 2 cm in size.
. a. Chronic pancreatitis with diffuse and extensive pancreatic calcification.
. a. Autoimmune pancreatitis with a prior pancreas surgery or steroid treatment for autoimmune pancreatitis .
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
A reproducible technique to measure CT perfusion parameters may provide a method for non-invasively monitoring tumor response during treatment, or differentiating between autoimmune and chronic pancreatitis.
Timeframe: Three weeks to three months for chronic pancreatitis.