Endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic neoplasms (original) (raw)

Endoscopic ultrasonography for pancreatic cancer: current and future perspectives

A suspected pancreatic lesion can be a difficult challenge for the clinician. In the last years we have witnessed tumultuous technological improvements of the radiological and nuclear medicine imaging. Taking this into account, we will try to delineate the new role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in pancreatic imaging and to place it in a shareable diagnostic and staging algorithm of pancreatic cancer (PC). To date the most accurate imaging techniques for the PC remain contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and EUS. The latter has the highest accuracy in detecting small lesions, in assessing tumor size and lymph nodes involvement, but helical CT or an up-to-date magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) must be the first choice in patients with a suspected pancreatic lesion. After this first step there is place for EUS as a second diagnostic level in several cases: negative results on CT/MRI scans and persistent strong clinical suspicion of PC, doubtful results on CT/MRI scans or need for cyto-histological confirmation. In the near future there will be great opportunities for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic EUS and pancreatic pathology could be the best testing bench.

Endoscopic ultrasonography for surveillance of individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer

World journal of gastrointestinal endoscopy, 2014

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease with a genetic susceptibility and familial aggregation found in 3%-16% of patients. Early diagnosis remains the only hope for curative treatment and improvement of prognosis. This can be reached by the implementation of an intensive screening program, actually recommended for individuals at high-risk for pancreatic cancer development. The aim of this strategy is to identify pre-malignant precursors or asymptomatic pancreatic cancer lesions, curable by surgery. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with or without fine needle aspiration (FNA) seems to be the most promising technique for early detection of pancreatic cancer. It has been described as a highly sensitive and accurate tool, especially for small and cystic lesions. Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, a precursor lesion which is highly represented in high-risk individuals, seems to have characteristics chronic pancreatitis-like changes well detected by EUS. Many screening protocols have ...

Pancreatic cancer: diagnosis and endoscopic staging

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2010

Early diagnosis and appropriate staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is of vital importance to possibly detect this otherwise lethal disease at a curable phase and to stratify patients who would benefit the most from surgical resection. The availability of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with its unique capability of obtaining refine images of the pancreas has represented a major breakthrough in the management of these difficult tasks. Furthermore, the ability to perform fine needle aspiration (FNA) under real time EUS guidance has offered the possibility to reach a definite diagnosis which has a major impact on the decision making process in the care of patients with both resectable and unresecectable pancreatic cancer. In parallel to the widespread importance of diagnostic EUS, the therapeutic applications of EUS are increasing and may further expand the role of this procedure in the management of pancreatic cancer. This article focuses on the current role of EUS and EUS-FNA in the di...

Chapter 4 Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Cancer

2018

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been developed over the course of the last 50 years. This technique has been shown to improve diagnosis, provide more accurate local information with regards to staging and enhance prediction of surgical resectability. Further to this, minimally-invasive local techniques have been developed, and continue to be developed, to provide both active and palliative management within the treatment schema for pancreatic cancer (PC).

Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Cancer

Advances in Pancreatic Cancer, 2018

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been developed over the course of the last 50 years. This technique has been shown to improve diagnosis, provide more accurate local information with regards to staging and enhance prediction of surgical resectability. Further to this, minimally-invasive local techniques have been developed, and continue to be developed, to provide both active and palliative management within the treatment schema for pancreatic cancer (PC).