Imaging for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Chin Clin Oncol. 2017 Dec;6(6):62. doi: 10.21037/cco.2017.11.03.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide due to its aggressiveness and the challenge to early diagnosis. Complete surgical resection is the only curative option, but fewer than 20% of patients have potentially resectable disease at the time of the diagnosis. Radiologists can assess whether PDAC is resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced or metastatic based on current imaging tests. This review will outline the role of imaging in both the diagnosis and staging of PDAC, with the goal of assisting the multidisciplinary team in tailoring the best treatment for patients.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); pancreas; pancreatic cancer; positron emission tomography (PET)-CT; ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*