Clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic aspects of carcinoma of the pancreas

Summary The records of 121 cases of pancreatic carcinoma recorded over a ten year period (1962 through 1971) at a 600 bed county hospital were analyzed. In 109 cases, the tumor was visualized at either laparotomy or autopsy. The most frequent presenting symptoms were weight loss, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Laboratory studies showed evidence of obstructive jaundice, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and a reversed albumin/globulin ratio. An upper gastrointestinal series was a helpful diagnostic tool. The prognosis was uniformly poor, with a resectability rate of only 2.5 per cent. Reasonable palliation was obtained with bypass surgery. It is concluded that both biliary and duodenal bypass procedures should be used routinely to avoid having patients return for additional operation in the terminal stages. Recent developments in diagnosis and treatment are reviewed.