The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective This single-institution study was to evaluate various diagnostic means for patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods Three hundred and twenty-one patients with pancreatic cancer admitted into our hospital between Jan. 1990 and Dec. 2000 were enrolled, and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Results The most common symptoms of patients with cancer in the head, body and tail and whole pancreas were abdominal pain (55.6%,81.0%,87.5%,respectively) and flatulance (27.8%,39.2%,50.0%,respectively).CA 19-9 was positive in 89.7% of all cases. The positive rate of image examination was 92.0% with MRI, 91.7% with angiography, 84.3% with CT, 80.1% with B ultrasound and 46.7% with GI series. Conclusions Abdominal pain and fullness are the most common symptoms for patients with cancer in the head, body and tail and whole pancreas.CA 19-9 testing presents valuable clues for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. All patients aged above 40 who seek medical advice for abdominal pain and flatulance should undergo ultrasound examination and CT scanning.