Pancreatic cancer

Pathology Imaging
  • The neoplasm and extensive fibrosis replaces most of the normal pancreas. 
  • Tumor can be located anywhere in pancreas.
    • The neoplasm, in the head of the pancreas, can compress the common bile duct causing an extra hepatic obstruction.
      • Dilatation of  intrahepatic bile ducts, common bile ducts (CBD) and gallbladder (Courvoisier GB).
    • Cancer in the tail of pancreas may obstruct the splenic vein or cause a mass effect on adjacent structures.
  • Mass
  • Biliary tract obstruction when the carcinoma is in the head.
      • Dilatation of  intrahepatic bile ducts, common bile ducts [CBD] and gallbladder.
      • Courvoisier GB
  • Cancer in the tail of pancreas may obstruct the splenic vein or cause mass effect on adjacent structures

 

Cancer Pancreas Normal Pancreas
The pancreas is bisected along its longitudinal axis revealing a large adenocarcinoma (B) of the head. (A) is the tail of pancreas which is normal. The normal pancreas is gray-yellow to tan throughout the organ
 

 

Normal Pancreas

 

CT scan in a patient with Cancer Pancreas

Black arrowheads points to an irregular mass in the  head of the pancreas.

  • SMA: Superior mesenteric artery
  • SMV: Superior mesenteric vein
  • Duo:  Duodenal sweep

CT scan in a patient with carcinoma pancreas

  • GB points to dilated gallbladder
  • Arrowheads point to small cysts in pancreatic head

CT scan in a patient with obstructive jaundice due to Cancer Pancreas

Dilated common bile duct

DUO: Duodenum
SMV: Superior mesenteric artery
SMV: Superior mesenteric vein
CBD:  Common bile duct