Imaging studies
Several imaging studies can help visualize pancreatic cancer including:
- CT scanning: Abdominal CT scanning is the most specific investigation for pancreatic cancer. It shows its size, location, and whether or not it invades the surrounding structures and blood vessels.
- Ultrasonography: Ultrasonography is not specific for pancreatic cancer, but it is usually the first imaging study done if the diagnosis of jaundice is not sure to exclude causes in the biliary tract and liver.
- ERCP: ERCP is one of the investigations done to detect any anomaly of the biliary tract. It is an invasive procedure that involves doing an endoscopy then injecting a dye into the biliary tract. It can differentiate between the different causes of jaundice.
- MRCP: It is similar to ERCP, but no dye nor an endoscope are used. It is similar to MRI of the brain and spinal cord and uses magnetic waves instead of contrast material and radiation.