The Role of Transabdominal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Early Stage Pancreatic Cancer: Review and Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death with a 5-year survival rate less than 10%. In the absence of effective screening methods, such as blood markers, most clinical diagnoses of PC are made at an advanced stage. However, early stage PC is associated with a more favorable five-year survival rate of 85.8% for stage 0, and 68.7% for stage IA. Transabdominal ultrasound (US) is frequently used as a first-line diagnostic tool in the clinical setting and a preferred modality for routine medical evaluations for asymptomatic individuals. Recently published Japanese data show that most PCs diagnosed in early stage had US findings, such as dilated main pancreatic ducts or pancreas cysts. For surveillance of high-risk individuals, such as those with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), US is an ideal modality in terms of its non-invasive and cost-effective nature. However, the diagnostic performance of ultrasound varies greatly by the operator’s experience and the patient’s condition. This article reviews the present situation of early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by US, along with tips for improving visualization of the pancreas.

Management of patients with increased risk for familial pancreatic cancer: updated recommendations from the International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) Consortium

“…Less expensive, short-protocol MRI has been evaluated for cyst surveillance 67. Some Japanese centres have evaluated abdominal ultrasound as a screening modality,68 as detailed pancreas sonographic images are feasible in thin individuals, but there was consensus that abdominal ultrasound should not be a first-line test for pancreatic surveillance.…”

Use of Biomarkers and Imaging for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

“…Transabdominal ultrasound (US) is an imaging modality that allows non-invasive observation of abdominal organs. The reported sensitivity and specificity of transabdominal US for the detection of pancreatic cancer range from 75% to 89% and 90% to 99%, respectively [ 113 , 114 ]. Recently, Kanno et al reported the results of a multi-center retrospective study of 200 cases of early stage pancreatic cancer, including 51 cases of stage 0 and 149 cases of stage I disease [ 115 ].…”

Predictive Factors for Pancreatic Cancer and Its Early Detection Using Special Pancreatic Ultrasonography in High-Risk Individuals

“…Its sensitivity for the detection of PC is approximately 75–89% [ 9 ], and its capability to detect PC is reduced by obesity or the presence of gastric gas [ 10 ]. To overcome these disadvantages of conventional US, we developed a special US examination focusing on the pancreas (hereafter referred to as special pancreatic US) [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Special pancreatic US is performed in the sitting position following the ingestion of liquid to reduce the effect of gastric gas [ 10 ].…”