Is early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer fiction? Surveillance of individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer represents one of the most deadly human malignancies with an overall 5-year survival of less than 5%. Despite improvements in imaging techniques and surgical techniques, survival statistics have hardly improved over the past decades. To improve the dismal outlook it would be highly desirable to develop a program to detect precursor lesions or small asymptomatic early cancers at the time when the disease is still at a curable stage. Screening the general population for disease presence is not feasible at present because of the relatively low disease incidence and the lack of a noninvasive, reliable and cheap screening tool. Targeted surveillance programs, however, in individuals at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer, like mutation carriers of pancreatic cancer prone hereditary (tumor) syndromes or individuals with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer without a known underlying genetic defect, might be feasible. Careful consideration of the criteria put forward by Wilson and Jungner as published by the World Health Organization on the principles and practice of screening for disease, indicate that surveillance in this high-risk population by means of endosonography (EUS) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents a promising development, though experimental. It nicely points out which open questions need to be addressed. Among others, these include how to acquire a better understanding of the natural behavior and progression of precursor lesions towards invasive cancer, how to firmly establish the performance characteristics of EUS and MRI for the detection of (early) lesions in individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer, and how to determine which lesions can be safely observed with continued surveillance and which lesions justify resection.     

Methods and outcomes of screening for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in high-risk individuals

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal neoplasia, for which secondary prevention (i.e., screening) is advisable for high-risk individuals with “familiar pancreatic cancer” and with other specific genetic syndromes (Peutz-Jeghers, p16, BRCA2, PALB and mismatch repair gene mutation carriers). There is limited evidence regarding the accuracy of screening tests, their acceptability, costs and availability, and agreement on whom to treat. Successful target of screening are small resectable PDAC, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with high-grade dysplasia and advanced pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are employed for screening, and the overall yield for pre-malignant or malignant pancreatic lesions is of about 20% with EUS and 14% with MRI/magnetic resonance colangiopancreatography. EUS performs better for solid and MRI for cystic lesions. However, only 2% of these detected lesions can be considered a successful target, and there are insufficient data demonstrating that resection of benign or low grade lesions improves survival. Many patients in the published studies therefore seemed to have received an overtreatment by undergoing surgery. It is crucial to better stratify the risk of malignancy individually, and to better define optimal screening intervals and methods either with computerized tools or molecular biomarkers, possibly in large multicentre studies. At the moment, screening should be carefully performed within research protocols at experienced centres, offering involved individuals medical and psychological advice.     

Screening for early pancreatic neoplasia in high-risk individuals: a prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Individuals with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer and persons with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. This study screened for early pancreatic neoplasia and compared the pancreatic abnormalities in high-risk individuals and control subjects. METHODS: High-risk individuals with PJS or a strong family history of pancreatic cancer were prospectively evaluated with baseline and 12-month computed tomography (CT) scan and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). If EUS was abnormal, EUS-fine-needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were performed. Surgery was offered to patients with potentially neoplastic lesions. Radiologic findings and pathologic diagnoses were compared. Patients undergoing EUS and/or ERCP for benign non-pancreatic indications were concurrently enrolled as control subjects. RESULTS: Seventy-eight high-risk patients (72 from familial pancreatic cancer kindreds, 6 PJS) and 149 control patients were studied. To date, 8 patients with pancreatic neoplasia have been confirmed by surgery or fine-needle aspiration (10% yield of screening); 6 patients had 8 benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), 1 had an IPMN that progressed to invasive ductal adenocarcinoma, and 1 had pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. EUS and CT also diagnosed 3 patients with 5 extrapancreatic neoplasms. At EUS and ERCP abnormalities suggestive of chronic pancreatitis were more common in high-risk patients than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Screening EUS and CT diagnosed significant asymptomatic pancreatic and extrapancreatic neoplasms in high-risk individuals. IPMN should be considered a part of the phenotype of familial pancreatic cancer. Abnormalities suggestive of chronic pancreatitis are identified more commonly at EUS and ERCP in high-risk individuals.     

The role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer

EUS with FNA is highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. However, in certain situations, such as in patients with chronic pancreatitis, this high sensitivity and specificity can significantly diminish. The use of new technology, such as EUS elastography, CE-EUS, and gene mutations detection in FNA specimens, can help to differentiate chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer. EUS has evolved from a diagnostic procedure to a therapeutic intervention in pancreatic cancer. EUS-guided fiducial insertion and EUS-guided delivery of antitumor agents, in addition to celiac plexus neurolysis, are the main therapeutic applications of EUS in pancreatic cancer.     

New strategies for the early detection of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a deadly disease and early detection through screening is likely to be our best hope to improve survival. Considering the low incidence of PC, population-based screening is not feasible, but is advisable for high-risk patients. Screening individuals at high risk for developing PC leads to the detection of premalignant lesions. High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm are the targets for early detection of PC. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance imaging are considered the most accurate techniques for pancreatic imaging; in particular EUS has emerged as a promising imaging test given its potential for tissue sampling to obtain diagnosis and to provide material for molecular profiling of PC. At the moment, screening should be performed within research protocols at experienced centers with a specific clinical and research interest, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists is available.     

Endoscopic ultrasound in clinical practice

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an accurate technique for the diagnosis and staging of benign and malignant lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and the mediastinum. EUS overcomes the limitations of other imaging diagnostic methods and gives the possibility to obtain tissue for histologic diagnosis (EUS guided FNA). The most useful indications of EUS are differentiation of submucosal tumors, staging for neoplasia, examination of the pancreato-biliary system and therapeutics. EUS can distinguish extrinsic compressions from intramural lesions and defines their nature (solid, cystic or vascular) and origin. EUS is useful for local staging of esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and rectal cancer using the TNM (tumor, node, metastases) system, as well as for diagnosing and staging of pancreatic lesions. The addition of EUS-guided FNA has improved the ability to detect malignant lymph node invasion. EUS is also highly sensitive for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, avoiding unnecessary danger of diagnostic ERCP. New therapeutic indications of EUS include drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses and celiac plexus block and neurolysis. EUS has become an indispensable diagnostic method in gastroenterological everyday practice and should be part of most endoscopy units.     

Screening for pancreatic neoplasia in high-risk individuals: an EUS-based approach.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Relatives of patients with pancreatic cancer and persons with certain inherited syndromes are at increased risk for developing pancreatic cancer. We prospectively evaluated the feasibility of screening for pancreatic neoplasia in high-risk individuals. METHODS: Individuals from familial pancreatic cancer kindreds and a patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome underwent screening endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). If the EUS was abnormal, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and spiral computed tomography (CT) were performed. Patients with abnormalities suggesting neoplasia had surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were studied; 31 (mean age, 58 yr; 42% men) from kindreds with > or =3 affected with pancreatic cancer; 6 from kindreds with 2 affected relatives, 1 was a patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. None had symptoms referable to the pancreas or suggestive of malignancy. Six pancreatic masses were found by EUS: 1 invasive ductal adenocarcinoma, 1 benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, 2 serous cystadenomas, and 2 nonneoplastic masses. Hence, the diagnostic yield for detecting clinically significant pancreatic neoplasms was 5.3% (2 of 38). The 1 patient with pancreatic cancer was treated and still is alive and disease-free >5 years after surgery. EUS changes similar to those associated with chronic pancreatitis were found, which were more common in patients with a history of regular alcohol intake (P = 0.02), but also occurred in patients who did not consume alcohol. Screening also led to a new diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic upper-gastrointestinal conditions in 18.4% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-based screening of asymptomatic high-risk individuals can detect prevalent resectable pancreatic neoplasia but false-positive diagnoses also occur.     

Precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer: molecular pathology and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease, with near uniform 5-year mortality rates. The key to improving survival of pancreatic cancer rests upon early detection of this neoplasm at a resectable, and hence potentially curable, stage. METHODS: We review the current state of the literature vis-à-vis the three common precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. We also discuss two clinical scenarios of emerging importance, namely asymptomatic pancreatic cysts ('pancreatic incidentalomas') and the significance of precursor lesions in familial pancreatic cancer kindreds. RESULTS: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias are the microscopic precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinomas, while intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms are macroscopic, cystic precursor lesions. All three noninvasive entities demonstrate a multistep morphologic and genetic progression that culminates in frank invasive adenocarcinoma. Despite these commonalities, each precursor lesion harbors a unique repertoire of clinicopathologic and genetic characteristics that has an impact on natural history and prognosis of these lesions. Due to improvements in radiological techniques, asymptomatic pancreatic cysts are being increasingly discovered in the general population; intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms are the most common underlying histology in resected incidentalomas of the pancreas. Pancreatic asymptomatic cysts present an enormous challenge in terms of accurate diagnosis and management stratification. Incorporating molecular signatures of cystic precursor lesions into the diagnostic algorithm will likely become a standard of care for asymptomatic pancreatic cysts. High-risk individuals from familial pancreatic cancer kindreds are another group of individuals where knowledge of precursor lesions has had a therapeutic impact; sensitive imaging technologies have enabled the identification and subsequent resection of pancreatic cancer precursors in these high-risk individuals, preventing the progression to invasive cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinomas represent a unique opportunity for diagnosis and intervention for a malignancy with near uniform lethality. Further studies on these precursors will enable the development of rational early detection and therapeutic strategies in order to ameliorate pancreatic cancer survival.     

Enhanced endoscopic ultrasound imaging for pancreatic lesions: The road to artificial intelligence

Early detection of pancreatic cancer has long eluded clinicians because of its insidious nature and onset. Often metastatic or locally invasive when symptomatic, most patients are deemed inoperable. In those who are symptomatic, multi-modal imaging modalities evaluate and confirm pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In asymptomatic patients, detected pancreatic lesions can be either solid or cystic. The clinical implications of identifying small asymptomatic solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs) of < 2 cm are tantamount to a better outcome. The accurate detection of SPLs undoubtedly promotes higher life expectancy when resected early, driving the development of existing imaging tools while promoting more comprehensive screening programs. An imaging tool that has matured in its reiterations and received many image-enhancing adjuncts is endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). It carries significant importance when risk stratifying cystic lesions and has substantial diagnostic value when combined with fine needle aspiration/biopsy (FNA/FNB). Adjuncts to EUS imaging include contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS and EUS-elastography, both having improved the specificity of FNA and FNB. This review intends to compile all existing enhancement modalities and explore ongoing research around the most promising of all adjuncts in the field of EUS imaging, artificial intelligence.     

Early detection of pancreatic cancer: a possibility in some cases but not a reality in most

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose until a late stage when curative options are no longer available. Owing to its relatively low incidence and the lack of sensitivity of current diagnostic tool, screening of pancreatic cancer in the general population is not recommended. However, in high‐risk individuals, especially those with well‐described genetic syndromes and a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, screening can be carried out. Detection of a lesion of the diameter < 1 cm without lymph node involvements and subsequent removal of the tumor results in long‐term cure of the cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the only diagnostic tool that is able to detect such small lesions. EUS is often combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography to augment the diagnostic yield. The conundrum in clinical practice is to differentiate between a malignant and a benign lesion. Resection of the pancreas constitutes major surgery with a high morbidity and mortality. The need continues, therefore, to find even more accurate imaging modalities to diagnose small pancreatic cancers with confidence.     

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the screening and follow-up of high-risk individuals for familial pancreatic cancer

Managing familial pancreatic cancer(FPC)is challenging for gastroenterologists,surgeons and oncologists.High-risk individuals(HRI)for pancreatic cancer(PC)(FPC or with germline mutations)are a heterogeneous group of subjects with a theoretical lifetime cumulative risk of PC over 5%.Screening is mainly based on annual magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoscopic ultrasound(EUS).The goal of screening is to identify early-stage operable cancers or high-risk precancerous lesions(pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with high-grade dysplasia).In the literature,target lesions are identified in 2%-5%of HRI who undergo screening.EUS appears to provide better identification of small solid lesions(0%-46%of HRI)and chronicpancreatitis-like parenchymal changes(14%-77%of HRI),while MRI is probably the best modality to identify small cystic lesions(13%-49%of HRI).There are no specific studies in HRI on the use of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS.EUS can also be used to obtain tissue samples.Nevertheless,there is still limited evidence on the accuracy of imaging procedures used for screening or agreement on which patients to treat.The cost-effectiveness of screening is also unclear.Certain new EUS-related techniques,such as searching for DNA abnormalities or protein markers in pancreatic fluid,appear to be promising.     

EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic metastases: a multicenter experience

BACKGROUND: Metastatic lesions of the pancreas are a rare but important cause of focal pancreatic lesions. The purpose of this study is to describe the EUS features, cytologic diagnoses, and clinical impact of a cohort of patients with pancreatic metastases diagnosed by EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA). METHODS: Over a 6-year period, in a retrospective, multicenter study, patients had the diagnosis of pancreatic metastases confirmed with EUS-FNA. All examinations were performed by one of 5 experienced endosonographers. The EUS and the clinical findings of pancreatic metastases were compared with those of a cohort with primary pancreatic malignancy. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with possible metastases were identified, and 13 were excluded because of diagnostic uncertainty. The remaining 24 underwent EUS-FNA (mean passes 4.1) of a pancreatic mass without complications. Diagnoses included metastases from primary kidney (10), skin (6), lung (4), colon (2), liver (1), and stomach (1) cancer. In 4 (17%), 16 (67%), and 24 (100%) patients, EUS-FNA provided the initial diagnosis of malignancy, tumor recurrence, and pancreatic metastases, respectively. Four (17%) metastases initially were discovered by EUS after negative (n = 3) or inconclusive (n = 1) CT scans. Compared with primary cancer, pancreatic metastases were more likely to have well-defined margins (46% vs. 4%) compared with irregular (94% vs. 54%; p < 0.0001) margins. No statistically significant difference between the two populations was noted for tumor size, echogenicity, consistency, location, lesion number, or number of FNA passes performed. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic metastases are an important cause of focal pancreatic lesions and may occasionally be discovered during EUS examination after previously negative or inconclusive CT. Use of immunocytochemistry, when available, may help to confirm a suspected diagnosis. These lesions are more likely to have well-defined EUS margins compared with primary pancreatic cancer.     

Presence of intratumoral anechoic foci predicts an increased number of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration passes required for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM: For reduction in cost, time and risk of complications, the number of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) passes should be minimized. Previous studies have shown that tumor differentiation and site of aspiration will affect the number of passes in patients with pancreatic cancer. There have been no reports that EUS features of pancreatic malignancies per se will influence the number of passes. Our aim was to prospectively assess various factors that would affect the number of passes in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Between May 2003 and December 2004, 41 patients with presumed pancreatic cancer were studied. EUS-guided FNA was performed with an Olympus GF-UC2000P echoendoscope and a 22-gauge needle. On-site assessment of the specimen by a cytopathologist was available during the procedure. RESULTS: Adenocarcinomas were confirmed in 25 patients. Pancreatic adenocarcinomas with intratumoral anechoic foci required a higher number of diagnostic passes than those without anechoic change (3.40 vs 2.27, P < 0.05). An average of 4.00 FNA passes for diagnosing a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma was also significantly higher than the 2.40 diagnostic passes for a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and the 2.00 passes for a poorly differentiated one (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The existence of intratumoral anechoic foci was not a rare finding under detailed EUS investigation of pancreatic cancer. Both the existence of intratumoral anechoic foci and the differentiation of the cancer are significant predictive factors for the number of diagnostic EUS-FNA passes.     

Pancreatic cancer: early detection, diagnosis, and screening

Pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, is one of the most lethal malignancies, and researchers have therefore intensified efforts directed at its early detection and management. Early detection includes an effective screening program, as pancreatic cancer is known to evolve from precursor lesions, which can be identified using currently available diagnostic modalities. A recent multicenter trial (the CAPS 3 trial) demonstrated that screening of asymptomatic individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer frequently detects small cystic pancreatic lesions, including curable, noninvasive high-grade neoplasms. In that study, endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were better at detecting pancreatic lesions than was computed tomography. On the other hand, effective screening modalities (e.g., imaging studies with measurement of biomarkers) are lacking for individuals at normal to moderate risk for this disease. Therefore, pancreatic cancer screening strategies should include identification of the population at high risk for this cancer and intensive application of screening tools with adequate sensitivity to detect early-stage disease.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts by combined cytopathology and cystic content analysis

Recent advances in imaging technology have resulted in an increase in incidental discoveries of pancreatic cystic lesions. Pancreatic cysts comprise a wide variety of lesions and include non-neoplastic cysts and neoplastic cysts. Because some pancreatic cysts have more of a malignant potential than others, it is absolutely essential that an accurate diagnosis is rendered so that effective care can be given to each patient. In many centers, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has emerged as the modality of choice that enables one to distinguish between mucinous and non-mucinous lesion, diagnose malignancy and collect cyst fluid for further diagnostic studies, such as pancreatic enzyme levels, molecular analysis and other tumor biomarkers. The current review will focus on EUS-guided FNA and the cytological diagnosis for pancreatic cysts.     

Asymptomatic pancreatic lesions: New insights and clinical implications

Despite great efforts in experimental and clinical research, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) has not changed significantly for decades. Detection of pre-invasive lesions or early-stage PC with small resectable cancers in asymptomatic individuals remains one of the most promising approaches to substantially improve the overall outcome of PC. Therefore, screening programs have been proposed to identify curable lesions especially in individuals with a familial or genetic predisposition for PC. In this regard, Canto et al recently contributed an important article comparing computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopic ultrasound for the screening of 216 asymptomatic high-risk individuals (HRI). Pancreatic lesions were detected in 92 of 216 asymptomatic HRI (42.6%). The high diagnostic yield in this study raises several questions that need to be answered of which two will be discussed in detail in this commentary: First: which imaging test should be performed? Second and most importantly: what are we doing with incidentally detected pancreatic lesions? Which ones can be observed and which ones need to be resected?     

Performance of endosonography-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas remains difficult despite improvement in imaging modalities and cystic fluid analysis. The aim of our study was to assess the performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions. METHODS: Data from a series of 127 consecutive patients with pancreatic cystic lesions were prospectively studied. EUS and EUS-guided FNA were performed in all patients, and cystic material was used for cytological and histological analysis as well as for biochemical and tumor markers analysis. Performance of EUS diagnosis, biochemical and tumor markers, and FNA diagnosis were compared with the final histological diagnosis obtained at surgery or postmortem examination. Sixty-seven patients underwent surgery and therefore constituted our study group. RESULTS: EUS provided a tentative diagnosis in 113 cases (89%). Cytohistological FNA provided a diagnosis in 98 cases (77%). When the results of EUS and EUS-guided FNA were compared with the final diagnosis (67 cases), EUS correctly identified 49 cases (73%), whereas FNA correctly identified 65 cases (97%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EUS and EUS-guided FNA to indicate whether a lesion needed further surgery were 71% and 97%, 30% and 100%, 49% and 100%, and 40% and 95%, respectively. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 > 50,000 U/ml had a 15% sensitivity and a 81% specificity to distinguish mucinous cysts from other cystic lesions, whereas it had a 86% sensitivity and a 85% specificity to distinguish cystadenocarcinoma from other cystic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided FNA is a valuable tool in the preoperative diagnostic assessment of pancreatic cystic lesions.     

Familial pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis with an overall 5-year survival of less than 10%. Early diagnosis, though cumbersome, is essential to allow complete surgical resection. Therefore, primary and secondary prevention are critical to reduce the incidence and to potentially prevent mortality. Given a relatively low lifetime risk of developing PC, identification of high-risk individuals is crucial to allow identification of pre-malignant lesions and small, localized tumors. Although 85–90% of PC cases are sporadic, we could consider risk stratification for the 5–10% of patients with a family history and the 3–5% of cases due to inherited genetic syndromes. These high-risk populations should be considered for screening and surveillance of PC. MRI/MRCP and EUS are the preferred modalities, due to their high sensitivity in lesion detection. Surveillance should be personalized, considering genetics and family history, and assessment of risk factors that may increase cancer risk. Screening programs should be limited to tertiary referral center, with high-volumes and adequate facilities to manage these patients.     

Endoscopic Ultrasonography Findings in Patients with Non-Specific Changes of the Pancreas on Computed Tomography: A Single-Center Experience

Inconclusive findings on abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans such as "enlarged or prominent pancreas" are commonly reported; however, their clinical significance is not clearly understood. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in a cohort of patients with indeterminate findings on CT. We undertook a retrospective, single-center study at a tertiary care university hospital. About 107 consecutive patients (56 men) underwent EUS evaluation for inconclusive CT findings. The main intervention was EUS with fine needle aspiration (FNA) The main outcome measurement was to describe lesions identified by EUS in this cohort of patients. About 22 patients (21%) had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 14 (13%) had chronic pancreatitis, 28 (26%) had benign lesions, and 35 patients (33%) had a normal EUS exam. Pancreatic cancer was more likely to be found on EUS in patients with significant weight loss (OR 10.1; 95% CI: 3.3-30.60), hyperbilirubinemia (OR 9; 95% CI: 3-26.0), or common bile duct (CBD) dilatation (OR 3.2; 95% CI: 1.25-8.5). The limitations of the study were that we were unable to control the uniformity of CT interpretation because the scans were reviewed by multiple radiologists. There were also limited follow-up data on patients who had benign lesions or normal EUS. In conclusion, EUS is an effective modality for evaluating pancreatic lesions in patients with inconclusive findings on abdominal CT. This assists in the prompt diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment strategies for a variety of pancreatic diseases including cancer. In the setting of inconclusive CT findings, patients with hyperbilirubinemia, significant weight loss, or CBD dilatation should undergo EUS evaluation as they are at a higher risk of having underlying pancreatic cancer.     

Screening and diagnosis for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis mainly because the diagnosis is made late. Therefore, screening and early diagnosis are essential ways to improve the patient's survival. There is no cost-effective screening method in general population because pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon. Some patients belonging to high-risk groups such as hereditary pancreatic cancer, familial pancreatic cancer kindred, new-onset diabetes in elderly patients, can be targets of secondary screening. To date, multi-detector CT is the standard method for proper diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. EUS play roles for identifying small lesion and cytologic examination. Other modalities like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), MRI/MRCP, positron emission tomography (PET), or laparoscopy, can be used selectively for the diagnosis and assessment of resectability.