From the Guidelines
Pancreatic cancer typically appears as a hypo-attenuating homogeneous mass with indistinct margins on CT examination, and its appearance can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer. On imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs, it often appears as a mass or abnormal growth within the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach in the abdomen. The tumor may look like an irregular, poorly defined mass that disrupts the normal pancreatic tissue architecture. As the cancer progresses, it can cause the pancreas to enlarge or develop cystic (fluid-filled) areas. The cancer may also appear to invade nearby structures such as blood vessels, the bile duct, or adjacent organs.
Key Characteristics of Pancreatic Cancer
- The interruption (with or without dilatation) of the biliary duct is fundamental to specify tumour extension 1
- The presence of calcifications is very unlikely but a cystic part of the tumour can exist, especially when the tumour originates from a degenerating cystic pancreatic lesion 1
- Extra-pancreatic local extension has to be delineated: enlarged lymph nodes (especially in the retroportal space), hepatic or peritoneal nodules are the main metastatic sites 1
Diagnostic Tools
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is now largely used in the staging of adenocarcinoma and can provide tissue samples via fine-needle aspiration, allowing for up to 95% diagnostic accuracy 1
- CT scan is the preferred imaging modality used for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer, and can evaluate major vessels adjacent to the pancreas for neoplastic invasion or thrombosis, as well as hepatic or distant metastases 1
- MRI and laparoscopy may be beneficial in selected cases, and PET scanning is under development for its role in the management of patients with pancreatic cancer 1
From the Research
Pancreatic Cancer Appearance
- Pancreatic cancer can manifest with various symptoms, including abdominal pain, jaundice, pruritus, dark urine, and acholic stools, especially when the tumor is located in the head of the pancreas 2.
- The disease can also cause weight loss, malnutrition, and other systemic symptoms 2, 3.
- Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can help diagnose pancreatic cancer and differentiate it from other conditions like mass-forming pancreatitis 4.
- CT signs, combined with MRI-DWI and MRCP, can improve the diagnostic sensitivity for pancreatic cancer 4.
- The appearance of pancreatic cancer on imaging studies can include lobulation signs, peripancreatic vascular invasion, and mass calcification, among other features 4.
Diagnostic Features
- Jaundice is a high-risk feature of pancreatic cancer, particularly in patients over 40 years old, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of more than 4.1% 3.
- Other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and malaise, can also be indicative of pancreatic cancer, although their PPVs are generally lower than that of jaundice 3.
- The combination of weight loss with other symptoms, such as abdominal pain or malaise, may warrant further investigation, including abdominal computed tomography 3.
Note
- There is limited information available on the specific appearance of pancreatic cancer, as the provided studies focus more on the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of the disease rather than its visual characteristics.