Clinical approach to the patient with a solid pancreatic mass

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2014 Feb;164(3-4):73-9. doi: 10.1007/s10354-014-0266-0. Epub 2014 Feb 28.

Abstract

Diagnosis and clinical work-up of a solid pancreatic mass is a challenging problem. Patients' history, laboratory parameters, computed tomography magnetic resonance imaging, and endosonography are the cornerstones in diagnosis. Biopsy is indicated in selected patients. The main goal of surgical indication is to select patients with suspected malignancy who are resectable, but avoid unnecessary resections. About 5 % of patients resected due to suspicion of malignancy finally present with a benign histology. Autoimmune pancreatitis is the most frequent cause of such unnecessary resections.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Algorithms
  • Austria
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Endosonography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Survival Rate
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed