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Diagnostic Methods of Pancreatic CancerBY: Ritu Choudhary | Category: Pancreatic Cancer | Submitted: 2010-06-06 18:51:05
Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is bit tough in early stage because it doesn't show any proper symptoms. When patient gets symptom still diagnosis becomes very difficult due to vague nature which is hardly noticeable. Some of these symptoms include pale color, backpain, fatigue and weight loss. Pancreatic cancer treatment becomes difficult because it is diagnosed in later stage. Proper routine and physical examinations are very important for diagnosis of this disease. Doctor performs various types of procedures before giving the final diagnosis. These procedures are Listed below: Lab test include checking of stool, urine and blood for bilirubin level which usually rises when there is a blockage in the bile duct path due to tumor. Due to increase level of billrubin, it starts appearing in stool, urine or blood. To rule out jaundice doctor checks eyes and skin of the patient. Abdominal examination is also very important especially right side where pancreas is situated. This may include percussion to evaluate ascites, i.e. abnormal fluid in the abdomen. Ultrasonography is the next examination for the detection of pancreatic cancer. The ultasonography machine produces sound waves that create a pattern when they reflect from the internal organs. Pancreatic tumor can be easily because it creates different picture as compare to normal healthy tissues of the abdominal region. Ultrasonography can be performed by using internal or external device. External ultrasound is known as Transabdominal ultrasound in which device is placed on the pancreatic region (right abdomen) to get pictures of the pancreas. Internal ultrasound is called as Endoscopic ultrasound in which endoscopic device is passed through the mouth and via stomach it reaches the small intestine. Then doctor pulls the device towards the stomach to get pictures of pancreas with the help of camera attached at the tip of the device. CT abdomen also plays a very important role in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In CT scan, x-ray machine is attached with the computer that takes lots of detailed images of the pancreas and rest of the organs in the abdomen. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography commonly referred as ERCP is an internal method to diagnose pancreatic cancer. In this method an endoscope id passed through the mouth followed by stomach and finally down into the small intestine. After that through endoscope catheter is passed into the pancreatic ducts. Then dye is passed through the catheter into the bile duct and after injecting dye doctor takes several x-ray images. X-rays gives the idea whether ducts are constricted by a tumor or any other reason. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or PTC is an invasive way of detecting pancreatic cancer. In this method needle is passed through the skin into the liver and then dye is passed into it. Normally dye can easily pass through the duct until duct is blocked by some tumor. With the help of dye doctor takes several images of duct with the help of x-ray. These x-ray pictures can easily gives the idea whether blockage is due to tumor or any other condition. Another way of diagnosing pancreatic cancer is through biopsy. In biopsy doctor take tissue of pancreas and send it to pathologist for the evaluation of cancer cell. Under microscope these tissues are examined for cancer cells. Fine-needle aspiration is the method through which tissues are taken out by needle insertion into the pancreas. With the advancement in diagnostic tools and techniques, diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has become very fast and easy. These diagnostic tools include helical computed tomography, contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound, endoscopic US and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Each and every technique has some advantages and disadvantages, therefore characteristics and purpose is very important before selection of the appropriate diagnostic technique. Article Source: http://www.cancer-surgery.com/ About Author / Additional Info: I am not a cancer doctor. Always consult your doctor before taking any action or conclusion regarding your medical condition. Comments on this article: (0 comments so far)
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