Operative Criteria for Diagnosis of Cancer in a Mass of the Plead of the Pancreas

Abstract

These criteria are a mass in the head of the pancreas, distention of the common duct to 2.5 cm. or more in diameter, dilatation of the duct of Wirsung, the "puckering" sign, friability or easy bleeding upon probing the ampulla and sclerosis of the distal pancreas. Fat necrosis may occur in one of five cases of cancer of the pancreas and, if present, is characteristically confined to the parenchyma or capsule of the pancreas. The finding of fat necrosis, calcinosis and pseudo-cyst at operation does not exclude the possibility of cancer being present in the pancreas.