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Pancreatic cancer: Difference between revisions
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'''Pancreatic adenocarcinoma''' is a malignancy with one of the highest mortality rates. It’s aggressive, causes no early symptoms, and is difficult to treat. It mostly affects elderly men. | <section begin="radiology" />'''Pancreatic adenocarcinoma''' is a malignancy with one of the highest mortality rates. It’s aggressive, causes no early symptoms, and is difficult to treat. It mostly affects elderly men.<section end="radiology" /> | ||
About 85% of cases are irresectable at the time of diagnosis due to being metastatic or locally advanced. | About 85% of cases are irresectable at the time of diagnosis due to being metastatic or locally advanced. | ||
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[[Trousseau syndrome]] may also be present. It refers to a migratory, superficial thrombophlebitis. | [[Trousseau syndrome]] may also be present. It refers to a migratory, superficial thrombophlebitis. | ||
<section begin="radiology" /> | |||
== Diagnosis and evaluation == | == Diagnosis and evaluation == | ||
Abdominal [[ultrasound]] is often the first investigation used in patients presenting with jaundice or epigastric pain. US is highly sensitive for pancreatic masses | Abdominal [[ultrasound]] is often the first investigation used in patients presenting with jaundice or epigastric pain. US is highly sensitive for pancreatic masses, and will show an echopoor lesion. | ||
Contrast [[CT]] or [[MRI]] shows the mass and whether it’s resectable or not. Pancreatic cancer is hypodense on CT. It will also show any distant metastases. | |||
<section end="radiology" /> | |||
The tumour marker [[CA 19-9]] may be elevated; if it is, it may be used for follow-up. Liver enzymes may be elevated if cholestasis has occurred. | The tumour marker [[CA 19-9]] may be elevated; if it is, it may be used for follow-up. Liver enzymes may be elevated if cholestasis has occurred. | ||