Pancreas Cancer FAQs


1	The Pancreas
2	Pancreatic Cancer
3	Causes of PC
4	Heredity
5	Risk Factors
6	Diagnosis
7	Metastasis
8	Staging
9	Questions to ask
10	Surgical Treatment
11	Medical Treatment
12	Vaccine
13	Symptoms & Side Effects
14	Screening
15	Pain Management
16	Diet & Exercise
17	Final Stages & Hospice

6) Diagnostic Techniques

Pancreatic cancer often presents clinically with non-specific signs and symptoms such as pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and weight loss. In these situations the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer may not be suspected and even when it is, pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect and diagnose. A variety of techniques can be used to establish a diagnosis. These techniques include CAT scan, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Although all of these imaging techniques may reveal a suspicious mass in the pancreas, the "gold standard" for diagnosing pancreatic cancer remains histopathology. Tissue for microscopic examination can be obtained by fine needle biopsy, by tissue needle cone biopsy or by excisional biopsy at the time of laparotomy (see types of pancreatic cancer). Angiography is useful to determine if the vessels around the pancreas are involved by the tumor and a blood test (CA19-9) can be useful in following the effectiveness of treatment

For detailed information on each procedure (accuracy, potential risks, results) click on the links below:

Angiography
Ca 19-9
CAT Scan
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)
Fine Needle Biopsy (FNA)
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography



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Disclaimer: No two patients with pancreas cancer are identical. The appropriate treatment of individual patients with pancreatic cancer varies greatly depending on the patient's medical and surgical history. The information expressed in this Web page is not medical advice. It is meant only to educate health care professionals and patients about the current status of treatment and research in pancreas cancer at Hopkins. Before making any medical decisions, patients with pancreatic cancer are advised to consult with their personal physicians.