Diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer

Introduction: The pancreatic cancer arises from non-invasive precursor lesions and develops through the accumulation of characteristic gene mutations. The recent scientific reports based on genetic tests state that the approximate time between cancerous initiation and the development of cancer with metastasisis15 years. We candistinguish three main precancerous lesions leading to the pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). The imaging tests used for the diagnostics and observation of precancerous pancreas lesions are MR, MRC, CT and EUS. Method: review of the recent literature based on PubMEd, Google scholar research based onthe following key words: pancreatic cancer, precancer of the pancreas, pancreatic cyst, tuber of the pancreas, medical imaging of the pancreasPurpose of the work: systematizing information about precancers of the pancreatic cancer based on the latest research and findings

Malignant Lesions of the Pancreas

Malignant lesions of pancreas are the fourth most common cause of cancer death in men and women. The majority of pancreatic cancer results from malignant transformation of the exocrine pancreas, and nearly 90% are ductal adenocarcinomas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC). Patients typically present at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. PDAC is acquired through the accumulation of multiple genetic mutations. The major risk factors for PDAC include age, smoking, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus (DM), male gender, and African American race. Less commonly, hereditary syndromes may be implicated. The clinical presentation may involve weight loss, abdominal discomfort, and or jaundice. Painless jaundice, depression, and new-onset DM can suggest the diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging has utility in diagnosis and staging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a standard approach to tissue diagnosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography with palliative stenting can relieve obstructive jaundice. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative option in the management of PDAC but only a minority of patients are candidates for resection. The prognosis for most patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is poor. Less common pancreatic malignant lesions such as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have a much more favorable prognosis. Key words: Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; Pancreatic NETs (PNETs); Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors