Cross-sectional imaging and the role of positron emission tomography in pancreatic cancer evaluation.
Pancreatic cancer is an extraordinarily morbid malignancy with a poor prognosis. As a result, it is imperative that imaging examinations correctly identify tumors when they are relatively small and potentially still resectable, as well as accurately stage tumors to determine which patients should undergo definitive surgery. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been established as the most important modality for both initial diagnosis and staging, although positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both play important ancillary roles. This review discusses how these three modalities play complementary roles in tumor diagnosis and staging.
Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Siva P
SP
Raman
Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Yifei
Y
Chen
Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: efishman@jhmi.edu.
Elliot K
EK
Fishman
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18