Elevated serum IgG4 levels are characteristic of AIP. However, mild (<2-fold) elevations in serum IgG4 are seen in up to 10% of subjects without AIP including pancreatic cancer and cannot be used alone to distinguish AIP from pancreatic cancer. Because AIP is uncommon, IgG4 elevations in patients with low pretest probability of having AIP are likely to represent false positives.

Suggested consensus indications for resection identify all patients with malignancy; however, their specificity is low. In the short term it would be safe to follow patients without these features.

Pancreatic cancer is frequently undetectable or resectable on CT scans done >/=6 months prior to clinical diagnosis. At onset of diabetes, pancreatic cancers are generally resectable.

No abstract

No abstract