Florida Pancreas Collaborative Next Generation Biobank

Doctors, researchers, and patient advocates from numerous institutions throughout the state of Florida have formed a partnership known as the Florida Pancreas Collaborative. The goals of the Florida Pancreas Collaborative team are to find better ways to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer and improve quality of life. Recent research suggests that pancreatic cancer affects people of various racial and ethnic groups differently, with some groups having more aggressive disease and a poorer prognosis than other groups.

In this research study, the investigators want to partner with individuals known or suspected to have pancreatic cancer to build a 'biobank' dedicated to minimizing disparities and personalizing care for individuals affected by pancreatic cancer. A biobank is a valuable resource that involves collection, processing, and storage of blood, other bodily fluids, and tissue (obtained during biopsy or surgery) to improve the investigator's understanding of health and disease. When combined with information and medical images obtained through routine care, the investigators will be able to investigate biological processes that may underlie differences and poor outcomes and target them with more effective therapeutic strategies tailored to the individual.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older.
• Patient presents for evaluation at a participating site with a strong clinical suspicion or diagnosis of a pancreatic cancer primary based on symptoms, imaging, biopsy, and/or blood-work and has not had treatment.
• Patient self-reports as Non-Hispanic White, African American, or Hispanic.
• Able to understand and voluntarily sign the informed consent.
• Willing to complete study questionnaire(s) and donate medical images and biological specimens (including tissue and blood) obtained at the time of standard of care procedures (biopsy, surgery, and/or venipuncture) after signing the informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

• No suspicion or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
• Has a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer but and has already undergone treatment (which may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation).
• Self-reported race/ethnicity other than Non-Hispanic White, African American, or Hispanic.
• Unable to provide informed consent.
• Unwilling to complete study questionnaires(s) and/or donate biological specimens