Endoscopy of pancreatic tumors

This review provides an overview about the role of endoscopy in the care of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. In the field of diagnostics the role of endoscopic ultrasound is highlighted in both solid and cystous pancreatic tumors. The decreasing diagnostic relevance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is also discussed. The issue of preoperative biliary drainage in case of obstruction is negotiated in detail, while palliative settings are appointed thoroughly. Besides conventional enteral stenting in case of gastric outlet syndrome caused by local spreading of pancreatic tumor, some new innovative endoscopic solutions are summarized. Several endoscopic ultrasound-guided antitumor interventions that are mainly in clinical trial phase are referred in the article. The diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are discussed separately due to their different biological behavior. The review emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approach of the patients suffering from malignant pancreatic tumors.