Diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer
Tests to detect, diagnose and stage pancreatic cancer
-Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed with tests and procedures that produce pictures of the pancreas and the area around it.
-The process used to find out if cancer cells have spread within and around the pancreas is called staging.
-Tests and procedures to detect, diagnose, and stage pancreatic cancer are usually done at the same time.
-In order to plan treatment, it is important to know the stage of the disease and whether or not the pancreatic cancer can be removed by surgery.
.The following tests and procedures may be used:
-Physical exam and history
-Chest x-ray
-CT scan
-MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
-PET scan
-Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
-Laparoscopy
-Endoscopic retrograde -cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
-Percutaneous transhepatic -cholangiography (PTC)
-Biopsy
Physical exam and history
-An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
-A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
-An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest.
-A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles.
The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
- A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.
-Magnetic resonance imaging
- A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
.Positron emission tomography scan
-A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body.
-A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein.
-The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body.
-Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.
-A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body, usually through the mouth or rectum.
-An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.
-A probe at the end of the endoscope is used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs and make echoes.
-The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram
-A surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease.
-Small incisions (cuts) are made in the wall of the abdomen and a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into one of the incisions.
Other instruments may be inserted through the same or other incisions to perform procedures such as removing organs or taking tissue samples for biopsy.
-ERCP is a procedure used to x-ray the ducts (tubes) that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
-Sometimes pancreatic cancer causes these ducts to narrow and block or slow the flow of bile, causing jaundice.
-An endoscope is passed through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the first part of the small intestine.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
-A catheter (a smaller tube) is then inserted through the endoscope into the pancreatic ducts.
-A dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts and an x-ray is taken. If the ducts are blocked by a tumor, a fine tube may be inserted into the duct to unblock it. This tube may be left in place to keep the duct open. Tissue samples may also be taken.
-A procedure used to x-ray the liver and bile ducts.
-A thin needle is inserted through the skin below the ribs and into the liver.
Dye is injected into the liver or bile ducts and an x-ray is taken.
-If a blockage is found, a thin, flexible tube called a stent is sometimes left in the liver to drain bile into the small intestine or a collection bag outside the body.
-This test is done only if ERCP cannot be done.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
-The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.
-There are several ways to do a biopsy for pancreatic cancer.
-A fine needle may be inserted into the pancreas during an x-ray or ultrasound to remove cells.
-Tissue may also be removed during a laparoscopy
.The area just inside the nostrils is called the nasal vestibule. A small area of special cells in the roof of each nasal passage sends signals to the brain to give the sense of smell.
.Together the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs.
.The movement of air through the sinuses and other parts of the respiratory system help make sounds for talking.
-A rare cancer that forms in tissues of a salivary gland. Most salivary gland cancers occur in older people.
-The salivary glands make saliva and release it into the mouth. Saliva has enzymes that help digest food and antibodies that help protect against infections of the mouth and throat.
-More than half of all salivary gland tumors are benign (not cancerous) and do not spread to other tissues
There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands:
-Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear. Most major salivary gland tumors begin in this gland.
-Sublingual glands: These glands are found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth.
-Submandibular glands: These glands are found below the jawbone.
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