[Nuclear medical diagnostic--pancreatic carcinoma (author's transl)]

Of the procedures available for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, particular significance can be attributed to scintigraphy. The method is based upon the accumulation of a labeled amino acid in the glandular tissue. The scanning technique delineates functionable tissue. The diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas cannot be deduced from the scintigraphic picture alone, however, because functional deficiency of a different origin could result in the same picture. In these cases, carefully planned exploratory surgery is indicated. The limited expense in terms of time and personnel and the modest stress to the patient make pancreatic scintigraphy a method that can reasonably-together with internal procedures-be applied right at the beginning of the process of diagnosis.