International Journal of Information Technology and Computer Science (IJITCS)
IJITCS Vol. 17, No. 6, 8 Dec. 2025
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Pancreatic Cancer Prediction Using Machine Learning: An Investigation of Different Algorithms
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Author(s)
Radha Singh Jadaun
1
Nij Mehar Grover
1
K. Srinivas
1
A. Charan Kumari
1,*
Index Terms
Pancreatic Cancer, Machine Learning Algorithms, Biomarkers, OncologyBenign Hepatobiliary
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, characterized by its high mortality rate and scarce treatment options, poses a formidable challenge in the field of oncology. Now, we live in a reality that requires immediate progress in diagnostic and prognostic methodologies to find pancreatic cancer early and understand its stage. This study deals with the pressing requirement for better diagnostic tools by evaluating and deciding the suitable machine learning (ML) algorithms for detecting pancreatic cancer at an early stage. This work uses a publicly available dataset with 590 urine samples which included control, benign hepatobiliary disease as well as Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) samples. The primary objectives of the research included developing a predictive model based on clinical data, examining various machine learning (ML) algorithms for their diagnostic precision, and improving the early detection rates for pancreatic cancer. The study assessed the efficacy of a broad array of ML algorithms in forecasting outcomes associated with pancreatic cancer. This analysis systematically explored Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Decision Trees, K-Nearest Neighbours, XGBoost, ADABoost, CatBoost, and GradientBoost. The assessment focused on standard performance metrics such as accuracy, precision (also known as positive predicted value or PPV), recall (sometimes called sensitivity or true positive rate), F1-score, and support. Notably, CatBoost achieved the highest accuracy of 75%, outperforming other models such as Random Forest (74%) and XGBoost (74%), demonstrating its superior classification performance in distinguishing between pancreatic cancer, benign conditions, and non-cancerous cases. In addition to performance evaluation, this study integrates SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) analysis to enhance model interpretability, ensuring transparency in feature contributions. SHAP analysis revealed that Plasma CA19-9, LYVE1, and TFF1 were the most influential biomarkers across all classifications, reinforcing their diagnostic significance. This research emphasizes the critical importance of early detection, model interpretability, and clinical applicability, demonstrating that ML algorithms, particularly CatBoost, not only enhance diagnostic precision but also provide explainable predictions that support real-world medical decision-making.
Cite This Paper
Radha Singh Jadaun, Nij Mehar Grover, K. Srinivas, A. Charan Kumari, "Pancreatic Cancer Prediction Using Machine Learning: An Investigation of Different Algorithms", International Journal of Information Technology and Computer Science(IJITCS), Vol.17, No.6, pp.127-142, 2025. DOI:10.5815/ijitcs.2025.06.07
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