Can pancreatic cancer be detected by a CT scan?

Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
Updated on December 26, 2024
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Pancreatic cancer can be detected by CT, which shows both direct and indirect signs. The direct signs of pancreatic cancer are manifested as pancreatic masses, which are mostly lobulated. On plain scans, the tumor appears isodense or slightly hypodense compared to the pancreatic parenchyma. When the tumor is large, it appears as a local protrusion, mostly located within the pancreas. In the early phase after enhancement, the tumor enhances less than the surrounding normal pancreatic tissue because pancreatic cancer is a hypovascular tumor. Indirect signs are mainly secondary changes caused by pancreatic cancer, mainly affecting the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct, which can lead to pancreatic duct dilation, characterized by the typical double duct sign.

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In the late stages of pancreatic cancer, if you feel a burning sensation in the chest area, this is generally due to the spread of cancer cells causing this phenomenon. The spread of cancer cells can lead to an increase in body temperature, and even fever. There are also clinical manifestations such as palpitations, chest tightness, and increased heart rate. Treatment should be based on individual clinical symptoms, combined with the results of various examinations. Generally, in the late stages of pancreatic cancer, it is important to pay attention to replenishing the body's nutrition intravenously.

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What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

The clinical manifestations of pancreatic cancer mainly depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, whether there is metastasis, and the involvement of adjacent organs. The clinical characteristics include a short disease course, rapid progression, and swift deterioration. The most common symptom is upper abdominal distension and discomfort, pain, though not all patients experience tenderness; if tenderness is present, it aligns with the area of pain felt. Pain is a primary symptom of pancreatic cancer, present whether the cancer is located in the head or the body/tail of the pancreas. Jaundice is a main symptom of cancer in the head of the pancreas, and patients often exhibit more severe gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly loss of appetite, followed by nausea and vomiting. There might also be diarrhea or constipation, even melena. Diarrhea is often steatorrhea. In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, common symptoms include weight loss and fatigue.

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Can pancreatic cancer be detected by a CT scan?

Pancreatic cancer can be detected by CT, which shows both direct and indirect signs. The direct signs of pancreatic cancer are manifested as pancreatic masses, which are mostly lobulated. On plain scans, the tumor appears isodense or slightly hypodense compared to the pancreatic parenchyma. When the tumor is large, it appears as a local protrusion, mostly located within the pancreas. In the early phase after enhancement, the tumor enhances less than the surrounding normal pancreatic tissue because pancreatic cancer is a hypovascular tumor. Indirect signs are mainly secondary changes caused by pancreatic cancer, mainly affecting the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct, which can lead to pancreatic duct dilation, characterized by the typical double duct sign.

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Is there still a cure for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis?

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Early symptoms and manifestations of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a type of malignant tumor that has seen an increase in incidence in recent years. The early symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer include the following: many patients experience abdominal pain, which often radiates to the shoulder and back. Additionally, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may develop jaundice in the skin and mucous membranes, and some may even exhibit bleeding spots. Moreover, some patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer may show symptoms of indigestion, experiencing repeated belching, nausea, and loss of appetite. Furthermore, the symptoms of early-stage pancreatic cancer are generally not typical because the tumor is located deep within the body and is small, hence it does not invade surrounding tissues. Therefore, the clinical symptoms are neither severe nor diverse.