The genetic classification of pancreatic neoplasia

Cancer is caused by the accumulation of inherited and/or acquired alterations in specific genes. The recent decline in the cost of DNA sequencing has allowed tumor sequencing to be conducted on a large scale, which, in turn, has led to an unprecedented understanding of the genetic events that drive neoplasia. This understanding, when integrated with meticulous histologic analyses and with clinical findings, has direct clinical implications. The recent sequencing of all of the major types of cystic and noncystic neoplasms of the pancreas has revealed opportunities for molecular diagnoses and for personalized treatment. This review summarizes the results from these recent studies focusing on the clinical relevance of genomic data.