title: Diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas.
abstract: The emergence of new diagnostic techniques has been of great value in pancreatic carcinoma. These techniques include ultrasonography, computerized axial tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. In spite of these advances in diagnosis, the prognosis of the disease remains poor and most patients still present at a late stage. Used intelligently, these technologic advances can reduce the number of investigations for pancreatic malignant lesions and yet maintain a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. A schema of investigations based on clinical symptoms and a patient's ability to undergo surgery is presented. The author believes this approach obviates the need for diagnostic laparotomy in many and palliative surgery for obstructive jaundice in some.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002758:Cholangiography; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000175:diagnosis; D008099:Liver; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012867:Skin; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography