Differential diagnosis and analysis of pancreatic cancer resectability using CT and MRI

Abstract

The purpose of this publication is to comprehend the modern achievements of radiological diagnosis in surgical oncopancreatology via a critical analysis of recent English-language publications. CT and MRI are essential diagnostic methods in surgical and oncological pancreatology. The possibilities of tomography examination regarding analysis of tumor dimension, CT criteria for pancreatic cancer diagnosis, assessment of vascular invasion, differential diagnosis of tumors, as well as estimation of possible early postoperative complications and radiological features of the region of interest after neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy for pancreatic tumors are critically analyzed. The role of modern diagnostic methods in improvement of treatment directly related to the early staging of pancreatic tumors is negligible, since the factors affecting the phases of slow and rapid tumor growth are unclear. Most likely, cyclic clinical and radiological evaluation of the pancreas will not give the expected results and is associated with advanced financial and physical costs. Perhaps, one of the approaches for effective treatment of pancreatic cancer will be the recognition of the need for laboratory and instrumental examinations by each patient. Acceptable frequency of examinations and own funds are determined by a patients himself in this case.