A semicentennial of pancreatic pathology: the genetic revolution is here, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water!

The last 50 years have witnessed an explosion in our understanding of the pathology of pancreatic diseases. Entities known to exist 50 years ago have been defined more precisely and are now better classified. New entities, previously not recognized, have been discovered and can now be treated. Importantly, new tools have been developed that have unraveled the fundamental biological drivers of a number of pancreatic diseases. Many of these same tools have also been applied clinically, supplementing the tried and true hematoxylin and eosin stained slide with a plethora of new, highly sensitive and specific tests that improve diagnostic accuracy and delineate best treatments. As exciting as these many advances are, our knowledge of pancreatic pathology remains incomplete, and there is much to be learned.