The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are nonspecific and are common in the elderly, who are at risk for pancreatic cancer. Ultrasound is an economic means for screening such individuals. This report describes a prospective study of the efficacy of ultrasound in 83 patients with symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Scanning techniques, which resulted in visualization of the head, neck, and body of the pancreas in 90% of the patients scanned, are reviewed. A sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 99% were achieved. Small defects in the parenchyma may be seen with ultrasound before there are any changes in the size or contour of the organ.

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The results show a clinical correlation of tumour localisation, infiltration of the serosa, lymph node metastasis and grading with peritoneal dissemination. The present data serve as a basis for further histochemical and molecular biological investigations e.g. of the expression of adhesion molecules to determine the risk of peritoneal tumour dissemination after gastric cancer.

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