Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer associated with a poor prognosis as a large proportion of these patients have locally advanced disease or metastases at the time of diagnosis. Currently... Show morePancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer associated with a poor prognosis as a large proportion of these patients have locally advanced disease or metastases at the time of diagnosis. Currently onlypatients with localized pancreatic tumors can undergo surgery, which is the cornerstone in thetreatment of pancreatic cancer, whether or not preceded by neoadjuvant (chemo/radio)therapy. To establish the diagnosis, imaging techniques are used, tumor tissue must be obtained, and certain tumor markers can be determined in the blood. During surgery, the tumor must be removed in its entirety to prevent early recurrence. This thesis describes the potential role of tumor markers, which can be determined in the blood, and several experimental optical imaging techniques applied to pancreatic cancer. Show less
This thesis consists of two parts addressing novel imaging technologies to improve the treatment of cancer patients. In part I, the additional value of real time image guidance during surgery is... Show moreThis thesis consists of two parts addressing novel imaging technologies to improve the treatment of cancer patients. In part I, the additional value of real time image guidance during surgery is discussed and the research described in this part of the thesis showed that imaging performed during surgery can be of great value. Nevertheless, the success rate is highly dependent on the choice of imaging modality and biomarker to be targeted. In part II, a necrosis avid probe was successfully evaluated as novel method for early neoadjuvant treatment response monitoring. Show less
