Cancer of the pancreas: detection and diagnosis

Since cancer of the pancreas is now the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in the United States, and since the signs and symptoms of this disease are such poor indicators of its presence, other more effective diagnostic methods must be utilized in an attempt to lower the mortality of pancreatic cancer. The newer studies which appear to hold some promise include endoscopy alone and in combination with pancreatography, selective and superselective angiography with or without pharmacologic assistance, and various forms of scanning. Resolution of some of the problems associated with the technique of biopsy and immunologic studies may make these studies of greater value. A clearer distinction between cancer arising in the pancreas itself from those lesions arising in the ampullary area will be of great value in clarifying both thinking and therapeutic approaches to the problem. Activation of the National Pancreatic Cancer Project and some other ongoing multi-institutional cooperative studies should do much to stimulate further advances in our knowledge about pancreatic cancer.