International documentation system for pancreatic cancer (IDS). The future in pancreatic cancer evaluation

Different classification systems for pancreatic cancer have evolved in western countries as compared to Japan. While the UICC classification which is focused on tumour size and distant metastasis has achieved widespread acceptance, the more complicated Japanese system seems to be superior in the estimation of local growth. The major drawback of the JPS system, however, is the complex structure and difficult handling. To overcome both the international barriers in classification systems and to achieve a universal prospective data acquisition, a uniform international Documentation System for Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer (IDS for EPC) has been developed by an international group of pancreatologists. The present form of IDS is supported by a software program (based on Microsoft Access) which allows simplified data acquisition and statistical analysis as well as automated stage grouping for the UICC and JPS classifications. From the first contact with the patient, through all diagnostic and therapeutic measures including follow-up, IDS enables a compact and easy-to-use tool for prospective data acquisition and exchange on an international basis.