Researchers say stool tests may be a useful way to help doctors detect pancreatic cancer early.
The researchers examined samples from 136 volunteers in a study to examine this proposition.
The study, published in the scientific journal “GT”, concluded that observable changes related to the gut microbiome would serve as an indicator of the presence of a tumor.
Pancreatic cancer does not show symptoms in its early stages, which makes it difficult to treat it when it is detected.
With the growth of cancer cells, vague symptoms may arise, such as indigestion, changes accompanying the process of defecation, and some pain in the abdomen or back, so that some have to consult a doctor several times before discovering the presence of cancer.
Currently, one in 20 people may live for five years or more with the most common type of pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma).
The researchers hope that early detection of the disease will improve these odds.
The Spanish team that conducted the study examined patient samples from two hospitals, one in Madrid and the other in Barcelona.
Some of these patients had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, while others were selected as standard cases for comparisons.
The researchers collected sputum and stool samples from volunteers to see if there were any differences between the groups.
Sputum samples showed no difference, while stool samples showed a difference that the researchers believe may help diagnose pancreatic cancer.
The difference was the presence of a distinct pattern or genome profile of gut bacteria, fungi and other microbes.
This has consistently helped identify patients with pancreatic cancer, regardless of how well he has managed them.
This indicates that distinct fingerprints of the human microbiome (microbiome) appear early in cancer, and that the fecal microbiome may be detected early in the disease.
The research team recommends further studies — some of which are already in place.
By examining a small number of patients, independent researchers in Germany confirmed the validity of what was revealed by this Spanish study, the results of which are also being tested in Japan.