Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Isolation of Proximal Fluids to Investigate the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Published on: November 5, 2020
Diagnostic clues and subsequent examinations that detected small pancreatic cancer
Natsuko Kawada1, Hiroyuki Uehara, Kazuhiro Katayama
1Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka, Japan.
Background/Aims:
Our aim was to investigate how 2cm or smaller pancreatic cancers were detected successfully in recent years.
Methodology:
Diagnostic clues and subsequent examinations that detected 15 histologically confirmed 2 cm or smaller pancreatic cancers were reviewed.
Results:
Diagnostic clues were imaging findings in 6 patients, symptoms in 5 and laboratory data in 4. Six of 8 patients who had risk factors of pancreatic cancer such as pancreatic cyst, dilated main pancreatic duct, pancreatitis, or diabetes had been followed-up by imaging and laboratory examinations. Five patients with extrapancreatic disease had been followed-up chiefly by laboratory examinations. The remaining 2 had neither of them. Detectabilities of pancreatic mass in US, CT and EUS were 89%, 67% and 100%, respectively; those of pancreatic mass and/or dilated main pancreatic duct were 100% in all three modalities. Cytological examination revealed adenocarcinoma preoperatively in 14 patients (93%).
Conclusions:
Small pancreatic cancer of 2 cm or smaller were suggested by symptoms, laboratory data, or imaging examinations. They were confirmed by further examinations including cytology.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test