Role of imaging in the management of pancreatic mass

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 12 - 23
• Main Authors: Peddu, P, Quaglia, A, Kane, P.A, Karani, J.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-04-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cystic neoplasms of pancreas; Endosonography; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Imaging of pancreatic cancer; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Staging; Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tumors; Ultrasonography; Cystic neoplasms of pancreas; Imaging of pancreatic cancer; Mass; Cancerology; Clinical management; Pancreas cancer; Digestive diseases; Medical imagery; Malignant tumor; Pancreas; Cancer; Pancreatic disease
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2008.09.009

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is the second commonest malignant gastrointestinal neoplasm. Modern imaging techniques have greatly increased sensitivity in diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancers. Multidetector CT in particular, plays a critical role in local staging and determining the resectability of pancreatic tumours. MR and endoscopic ultrasound are valuable in those groups of patients in whom CT findings alone are inconclusive in tumour characterisation and local staging, particularly vascular involvement. In this article we review the current established concepts and the role of imaging in the multidisciplinary management of pancreatic tumours together with a comprehensive review of the literature.