Lecture
Patient will present as → a 68-year-old smoker with a 25 lb weight loss over the last three months that is associated with a burning pain deep in the epigastrium after eating, diarrhea, and jaundice. Physical exam reveals an enlarged, palpable, non-tender gallbladder and clay-colored stool. Labs show a total bilirubin of 8, alkaline phosphatase of 450, and an ALT of 150.
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The most common is ductal adenocarcinoma, usually at the head of the pancreas
- Abdominal pain, jaundice, enlarged palpable gallbladder in 40% of patients (Courvoisier's sign), light-colored stools, dark urine, pruritus, weight loss
- Associated with cigarette smoking, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and obesity
Virchow's node (or signal node) is a lymph node in the left supraclavicular fossa (the area above the left clavicle).
- It takes its supply from lymph vessels in the abdominal cavity. Virchow's node is also sometimes coined “the seat of the devil,” given its ominous association with malignant disease
"Pain of pancreatic cancer is often lessened by sitting and leaning forward (just like pancreatitis). This indicated that the lesion had spread beyond the pancreas and is inoperable."
Risk factors: smoking, alcohol, obesity, and chronic pancreatitis.
Diagnose with abdominal CT scan - 75% show tumor at the head of the pancreas, 20% in the body, and 10% in the tail
- Increased amylase (if tumor obstructs ducts)
- Increased direct bilirubin
- Increased CEA
- Glucose intolerance
- ERCP - stenosis or obstruction of pancreatic ducts
- Tumor Marker: CA 19-9 - not diagnostic but can be used to follow response to therapy
Adenocarcinoma at the head of the pancreas.
Treatment is the Whipple procedure => remove the antrum of the stomach, part of the duodenum, head of the pancreas, and gall bladder.
- Poor prognosis 2-5% five-year survival
Illustration of Whipple procedure
 Osmosis |
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Question 1 |
A 69-year old man presents with epigastric pain which radiates to his back, progressive weight loss, jaundice, and pruritus. On physical examination, patient looks cachectic, is icteric, has scratch marks, palpable gallbladder. His fasting blood sugar (FBS) is 13mg/dl. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Pancreatic cancer | |
Gastric cancer Hint: Gastric cancer cannot cause pruritus and enlargement of the gallbladder. | |
Gastric ulcer Hint: Gastric ulcer doesn’t present as jaundice and pruritus. | |
Hepatocellular carcinoma Hint: Hepatocellular carcinoma does not cause enlargement of the gallbladder. |
Question 1 Explanation:
Epigastric pain which radiates to the back with weight loss, jaundice, pruritus, palpable gall bladder and a deranged FBS strongly suggests pancreatic cancer.
Question 2 |
If you could order only one investigation at this time, which one of the following would you order?
magnetic resonance imaging scan of the abdomen
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gastroscopy | |
dual-phase helical computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen | |
colonoscopy |
Question 2 Explanation:
the investigation of choice is a dual-phase helical CT scan of the abdomen. No other test provides such high sensitivity and specificity. The sensitivity of the CT scan in the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is between 95% and 98%; that is, only 1 of every 20 patients with adenocarcinoma will have false-negative CT scan results.
Question 3 |
What is the most clearly established risk factor for the disease described?
alcohol consumption | |
cigarette smoking | |
high fat intake | |
environmental toxins | |
previous exposure to radiation |
Question 3 Explanation:
The most likely established risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is cigarette smoking. There is some controversy regarding alcohol intake, but most authorities consider it a significant risk factor as well.
Question 4 |
Which of the following treatment modalities provide cure for pancreatic cancer when indicated?
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) | |
Chemotherapy | |
Radiotherapy | |
None of the above |
Question 4 Explanation:
Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas is resectable in only 20% of patients (Whipple procedure). The prognosis for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is dismal. The overall 5-year survival rate is approximately 4%; localized resectable disease has a 20% survival rate. However, moderately encouraging results have been obtained with the use of gemcitabine and other adjuvant, radiograph, and molecular biologic therapies
Question 5 |
Which of the following statements is not true concerning pancreatic carcinoma?
Pancreatic carcinoma is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the US Hint: Cancer of the exocrine pancreas is a highly lethal malignancy. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and second only to colorectal cancer as a cause of digestive cancer-related death. | |
Men are affected more often than women Hint: Men are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. This may be due, at least in part, to higher tobacco use in men, which raises pancreatic cancer risk. | |
75% occur in the tail | |
Cigarette smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity are risk factors Hint: The major risk factors for pancreatic cancer include cigarette smoking, high body mass and lack of physical activity. Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among smokers compared to those who have never smoked. Obese people (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or more) are about 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. |
Question 5 Explanation:
75% of pancreatic carcinoma occur in the head of pancreas. 5-10% occur in the tail. All other statements are true.
There are 5 questions to complete.
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References: Merck Manual · UpToDate