Exploring the Prognostic Role of D-dimer Levels in Pancreatic Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Clinicopathological Associations.

Pancreatic cancer is known for its dismal prognosis and high mortality rate, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and aggressive disease progression. Finding reliable prognostic biomarkers is crucial in improving patient outcomes and guiding treatment strategies. D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, has emerged as a potential biomarker of interest in various cancers due to its association with coagulation abnormalities. This comprehensive review investigates the prognostic role of D-dimer levels in pancreatic cancer by synthesizing current research and exploring its clinicopathological associations. Elevated D-dimer levels in pancreatic cancer patients have been linked to poorer clinical outcomes, including reduced overall survival and increased disease progression. The review examines how D-dimer levels correlate with tumor characteristics such as stage, grade, and metastatic spread, highlighting its potential utility as a prognostic marker. Additionally, the review addresses the methodological challenges in D-dimer measurement and the need for standardized protocols to enhance the reliability and applicability of results. Future research directions are identified, focusing on validating D-dimer's clinical utility and integrating it into routine practice for risk stratification and personalized treatment planning. By providing a comprehensive overview of D-dimer's prognostic value, this review aims to contribute to developing more effective management strategies for pancreatic cancer, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
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