Research for clinical, biological and endoscopic ultrasound characteristics of pancreatic tumors

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic tumor disease often has clinical symptoms ambiguously which is leading to late detection and poor prognosis. Currently, there are many imaging methods to use for the early detection, and diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with the strength of a high-frequency probe, approaching directly the pancreas which is improving the diagnosis of the tumor, especially small lesions < 2 cm. This study was aimed at: (1) To describe some clinical, biological, and endoscopic ultrasound characteristics of pancreatic tumors. (2) To evaluate the relationship between clinical and biological characteristics and pancreatic tumor characteristics on endoscopic ultrasound. Subject and methods: Cross-sectional study in 41 patients diagnosed with pancreatic tumor on endoscopic ultrasound. Results: Common history was smoking, high intake of alcohol and diabetes. Almost half of the patients 48.5% had a CA 19.9 ≤ 37 U/ml. Lesions in the pancreatic head accounted for 80.5%, hypoechoic lesions 97.6%, solid tumor 80.5%. Common extra-tumoral findings were abdominal lymph nodes accounting for 51.2%, common bile duct dilatation 46.3% and pancreatic duct dilatation 39.0%. There was no relationship between levels of CA 19.9 and endoscopic ultrasound features such as vascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship of tumors in the head of the pancreas and jaundice, and dilation of the common bile duct (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Smoking, high intake of alcohol and diabetes were the most common history. Common findings of tumor were hypoechoic, solid tumor and pancreatic head position. There is a relationship of pancreatic head tumors and jaundice as well as dilation of the common bile duct. Key words: endoscopic ultrasound, pancreatic tumor, clinical features, biochemical characteristics.