title: Periodic ultrasonography checkup for the early detection of pancreatic cancer: preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce our new ultrasonography (US) system for early detection of pancreatic cancer and report its preliminary results.
  
  
  METHODS
  The basis of the system is periodic checkups for high-risk patients. Abnormal US findings, such as main pancreatic duct dilatation or pancreatic cyst(s), were indicated as high risk. Special US focusing on the pancreas and a set of serum tests were performed every 3 or 6 months. When some development was detected, additional examinations, including ERP with pancreatic juice cytology, were performed. There were 1098 subjects admitted through the end of May 1998, and the outcomes of these subjects were followed through the end of March 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred ninety-three patients were registered for the periodic checkups. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was detected in 44 patients: 41 by the initial examination and 3 by the periodic checkups. Surgical resection was performed in 40.9%, and 50% of the resected patients were in stages 0-III. The cumulative 3-year survival rates of the resected patients were 100% in stages 0 and III, 75% in stage I, and 33% in stage IVa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periodic US checkups for patients with main pancreatic duct dilatation or cyst(s) are considered to be an effective method for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Survey, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer & CVD, Osaka, Japan. sachi686@mbox2.inet-osaka.or.jp
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakaizumi
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ioka
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takakura
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohigashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012042:Registries; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography