Ghrelin Levels in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Assessment of Plasma Ghrelin Levels in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

The primary outcome measure for this study is plasma ghrelin level.

The primary outcome measure for this study is plasma ghrelin level, and the two primary comparison are:

• Patients with cachexia versus patients without cachexia
• Patients with cachexia versus healthy controls

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histological or cytological proof of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• The control are will include healthy age-matched patients without cancer
• The test arm will include patients with pancreatic cancer and they will divided into two groups: those with and without weight loss
• Patients must have recovered from any major infections and/or surgical procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with other serious medical illness like congestive heart failure, thyroid disease,liver disease or renal failure - conditions that will alter their nutritional state
• Patients on appetite stimulant and those receiving total parenteral nutrition
• Patients who have undergone gastrectomy or those who have gastric ulcers
• Patients receiving active chemotherapy
• No prior malignancy except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer or for which patient has been disease free for at least five years.