title: A diagnostic approach to pancreatic cancer.
abstract: The diagnostic and staging evaluation for patients suspected of having pancreatic cancer has not been standardized. This review describes a practical algorithm for the workup of affected individuals. Computed tomography as an initial test can usually provide the most information when clinical features or biochemical or serological (CA19-9) test results suggest the presence of a neoplasm. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is appropriate when scans are equivocal or clearly abnormal especially in jaundiced patients. A cytological diagnosis is possible and biliary decompression can be accomplished with this procedure. Laparoscopy followed by angiography is useful for staging surgical candidates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Desert Samaritan Medical Center, Mesa, Ariz.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Foutch
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen