RESULTS OF PANCREATOGRAPHY DURING PANCREATIC CARCINOGENESIS

Abstract

Systematic histologic-pancreatographic examination of the hamster pancreas during pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis revealed specific and nonspecific diagnostic criteria. Ductal changes due to hyperplasia of ductal epithelium were recognized as distention rather than narrowing. This condition occurred in limited numbers during advanced ductal alteration and was an insignificant criterion. The most reliable tumor marker was complete ductal obstruction: ductal deterioration (displacement, deformity) occurred in 42%. In histologic and pancreatographic studies the chain of lakes caused by ductular proliferation or adenomas, both of which seem to represent precursor stages of adenocarcinomas, was found. Some neoplasms escaped diagnosis, due to their small size, anatomic location or specific histologic patterns. The data indicated that pancreatography per se as an early detection tool is unreliable.