How to check pancreatic cancer

Every part of our body is related to our health. Once there is a problem with any part, it will make the body feel uncomfortable, and in severe cases it will threaten our life safety. Therefore, we must pay close attention to our physical condition and go to the hospital for examination in time if we feel uncomfortable. Let's take a look at what tests pancreatic cancer patients need to do to confirm the diagnosis?

1. Ultrasound examination: Abdominal ultrasound is the preferred method for pancreatic cancer screening and diagnosis. It is easy to operate, non-destructive, non-radioactive, can be observed in multiple axes, and can better show the internal structure of the pancreas, the presence or absence of bile duct obstruction and the location of obstruction. The limitation of ultrasound is that it has a small field of view and is easily affected by the gas in the stomach and intestines and the body shape. At the same time, it should be emphasized that ultrasound is greatly affected by the level, experience, concept and equipment used by the doctor, and has a certain degree of subjectivity. If necessary, it should be combined with enhanced CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laboratory tests for comprehensive consideration.

2. CT: CT is currently the best non-invasive imaging method for examining the pancreas, and is mainly used for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. Plain scans can roughly show the size and location of the lesions, but cannot accurately diagnose, nor is it conducive to showing the relationship between the tumor and surrounding structures. Enhanced scans can better show the size, location, morphology, internal structure and relationship with surrounding structures of pancreatic tumors. CT can more accurately determine the presence or absence of liver metastasis and enlarged lymph nodes. PET-CT examination is a method that has been increasingly used in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment in recent years. It can more accurately assess the nature and scope of lesions, and has high value for the staging diagnosis of malignant tumors and the selection of appropriate treatment plans. However, the high cost and the fact that most of the time it is a self-funded examination item are a major bottleneck limiting its application.

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance pancreaticocholangiopancreatography (MRCP) examinations: They are not currently the preferred method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. However, when patients are allergic to CT contrast agents, MRI scans can be performed instead of enhanced CT for diagnosis and clinical staging. In addition, when some lesions are difficult to characterize, MRI examinations can be performed on the basis of CT examinations to supplement the deficiencies of CT images.

MRCP has obvious advantages in determining whether there is bile duct obstruction, the location of obstruction, and the cause of obstruction. It is also safer than invasive examination methods such as endoscopic retrograde pancreaticocholangiography (ERCP) and transhepatic cholangiography (PTC).

The above content has made a detailed introduction to the examinations that pancreatic cancer patients should do, and I hope it will be helpful to everyone. In order to avoid suffering from pancreatic cancer, we should maintain a healthy lifestyle and work and rest habits in our daily lives and maintain proper physical exercise.