Journal of Cancer Science and Research
Open Access

Accuracy of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Detection of Pancreatic Head Carcinoma

Deshmukh Dhanashri^{* *}Correspondence: Deshmukh Dhanashri, Department of Cancer Therapy and Research at University of Delhi, India,

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Editorial Note

The diagnosis of carcinoma of head of pancreas can be established by many modalities including Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasonography (USG). USG is considered a least invasive, readily available and inexpensive investigation as compared to CT scan. Aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of USG for detection of pancreatic head tumors taking Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as gold standard. Method: This cross-sectional study of six months duration was conducted in New Radiology Department of Services Hospital, Lahore. Patients of both genders, 125 in number, having suspicion of pancreatic tumor based on clinical and laboratory findings were enrolled for the study. Ultrasound abdomen was done by consultant radiologist and findings were noted regarding presence or absence of pancreatic carcinoma. Patients then underwent ERCP and ultrasonography findings were compared with ERCP findings, regarding detection of carcinoma head of pancreas. Result: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of USG for detection of pancreatic carcinoma were 88.3%, 86.4% and 88%, respectively. USG is a reliable test for detection of pancreatic head carcinoma. Pancreatic cancer arises when cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a mass. These cancerous cells have the ability to invade other parts of the body. The most common, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, accounts for about 90% of cases, and the term "pancreatic cancer" is sometimes used to refer only to that type. These adenocarcinomas start within the part of the pancreas that makes digestive enzymes. Several other types of cancer, which collectively represent the majority of the non-adenocarcinomas, can also arise from these cells. About 1â??2% of cases of pancreatic cancer are neuroendocrine tumors, which arise from the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. These are generally less aggressive than pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Signs and symptoms of the most-common form of pancreatic cancer may include yellow skin, abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, light-colored stools, dark urine, and loss of appetite. Usually, no symptoms are seen in the disease's early stages, and symptoms that are specific enough to suggest pancreatic cancer typically do not develop until the disease has reached an advanced stage. By the time of diagnosis, pancreatic cancer has often spread to other parts of the body.

Neuroendocrine

The small minority of tumors that arise elsewhere in the pancreas are mainly pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs). Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a diverse group of benign or malignant tumors that arise from the body's neuroendocrine cells, which are responsible for integrating the nervous and endocrine systems. NETs can start in most organs of the body, including the pancreas, where the various malignant types are all considered to be rare. PanNETs are grouped into 'functioning' and 'nonfunctioning' types, depending on the degree to which they produce hormones. The functioning types secrete hormones such as insulin, gastrin, and glucagon into the bloodstream, often in large quantities, giving rise to serious symptoms such as low blood sugar, but also favoring relatively early detection. The most common functioning PanNETs are insulinomas and gastrinomas, named after the hormones they secrete. The nonfunctioning types do not secrete hormones in a sufficient quantity to give rise to overt clinical symptoms, so nonfunctioning PanNETs are often diagnosed only after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. As with other neuroendocrine tumors, the history of the terminology and classification of PanNETs is complex. PanNETs are sometimes called "Islet cell cancers", though they are now known to not actually arise from islet cells as previously thought.