Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Radiologic and Anatomic Characterization of Radiologic and Anatomic Characterization of
Pancreatic Cancer and Implications for Pancreatic Cancer and Implications for
TreatmentTreatment
Frank L. Acosta, Jr., Harvard Medical School Year IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
July 2001
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Agenda
• Epidemiology
• Classification
• Relevant anatomy
• Clinical presentation
• Imaging studies
• Management strategies
• Salient points
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Epidemiology of Pancreatic CA
• Fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in U.S.
• 29,000 new cases per year
• Significant morbidity and mortality:
– 5 year survival rate: 2-5%
– Median survival 15-20 months
– Most patients have advanced disease at initial
presentation
– Only 15-20% are surgical candidates
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Classification of Pancreatic Neoplasms
I. Epithelial nonendocrine tumors
A. Duct cell origin
1. Cystic
a. Microcystic (serous) adenoma
b. Mucinous cystic neoplasm
(cystadenocarcinoma)
c. Ductectatic neoplasms
2. Solid
a. Duct cell adenocarcinoma
b. Variant carcinomas
(1) Pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma
(2) Adenosquamous carcinoma
(3) Mucinous (colloid) carcinoma
(4) Anaplastic carcinoma
(5) Small cell carcinoma
(6) Ciliated cell adenocarcinoma
(7) Oncocytic carcinoma
(8) Clear cell carcinoma
B. Acinar cell origin
1. Acinar cell carcinoma
2. Acinar cell cystadenocarcinoma
3. Pancreaticoblastoma
C. Indeterminate origin
1. Osteoclast-type giant cell carcinoma
2. Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm
3. Mixed endocrine-exocrine tumors
4. Microadenocarcinoma
II. Endocrine (islet cell) tumors
A. Insulinoma
B. Gastrinoma
C. Glucagonoma
D. VIPoma
E. Somatostatinoma
F. Pancreatic polypeptidoma
G. Carcinoid
H. Miscellaneous
III. Other pancreatic neoplasms
A. Nonepithelial (mesenchymal) tumors
B. Metastases
C. Lymphoma
Friedman AC: Pancreatic Neoplasms. In Friedman AC, Dachman AH, eds:
Radiology of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen, St. Louis, 1994, Mosby-Year Book, pp 807-934
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Classification of Pancreatic Neoplasms
I.I.I. Epithelial Epithelial Epithelial nonendocrinenonendocrinenonendocrine tumorstumorstumors
A.A.A. Duct cell originDuct cell originDuct cell origin
1.1.1. CysticCysticCystic
a.a.a. MicrocysticMicrocysticMicrocystic (serous) adenoma(serous) adenoma(serous) adenoma
b.b.b. MucinousMucinousMucinous cystic neoplasm cystic neoplasm cystic neoplasm
(((cystadenocarcinomacystadenocarcinomacystadenocarcinoma)))
c.c.c. DuctectaticDuctectaticDuctectatic neoplasmsneoplasmsneoplasms
2.2.2. SolidSolidSolid
a. DUCT CELL
ADENOCARCINOMA (90%)
b.b.b. Variant carcinomasVariant carcinomasVariant carcinomas
(1)(1)(1) PleomorphicPleomorphicPleomorphic giant cell carcinomagiant cell carcinomagiant cell carcinoma
(2)(2)(2) AdenosquamousAdenosquamousAdenosquamous carcinomacarcinomacarcinoma
(3)(3)(3) MucinousMucinousMucinous (colloid) carcinoma(colloid) carcinoma(colloid) carcinoma
(4)(4)(4) AnaplasticAnaplasticAnaplastic carcinomacarcinomacarcinoma
(5)(5)(5) Small cell carcinomaSmall cell carcinomaSmall cell carcinoma
(6)(6)(6) Ciliated cell Ciliated cell Ciliated cell adenocarcinomaadenocarcinomaadenocarcinoma
(7)(7)(7) OncocyticOncocyticOncocytic carcinomacarcinomacarcinoma
(8)(8)(8) Clear cell carcinomaClear cell carcinomaClear cell carcinoma
B.B.B. AcinarAcinarAcinar cell origincell origincell origin
1.1.1. AcinarAcinarAcinar cell carcinomacell carcinomacell carcinoma
2.2.2. AcinarAcinarAcinar cell cell cell cystadenocarcinomacystadenocarcinomacystadenocarcinoma
3.3.3. PancreaticoblastomaPancreaticoblastomaPancreaticoblastoma
C.C.C. Indeterminate originIndeterminate originIndeterminate origin
1.1.1. OsteoclastOsteoclastOsteoclast---type giant cell carcinomatype giant cell carcinomatype giant cell carcinoma
2.2.2. Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasmSolid and papillary epithelial neoplasmSolid and papillary epithelial neoplasm
3.3.3. Mixed endocrineMixed endocrineMixed endocrine---exocrine tumorsexocrine tumorsexocrine tumors
4.4.4. MicroadenocarcinomaMicroadenocarcinomaMicroadenocarcinoma
II.II.II. Endocrine (islet cell) tumorsEndocrine (islet cell) tumorsEndocrine (islet cell) tumors
A.A.A. InsulinomaInsulinomaInsulinoma
B.B.B. GastrinomaGastrinomaGastrinoma
C.C.C. GlucagonomaGlucagonomaGlucagonoma
D.D.D. VIPomaVIPomaVIPoma
E.E.E. SomatostatinomaSomatostatinomaSomatostatinoma
F.F.F. Pancreatic Pancreatic Pancreatic polypeptidomapolypeptidomapolypeptidoma
G.G.G. CarcinoidCarcinoidCarcinoid
H.H.H. MiscellaneousMiscellaneousMiscellaneous
III.III.III. Other pancreatic Other pancreatic Other pancreatic neoplasmsneoplasmsneoplasms
A.A.A. NonepithelialNonepithelialNonepithelial (((mesenchymalmesenchymalmesenchymal) tumors) tumors) tumors
B.B.B. MetastasesMetastasesMetastases
C.C.C. LymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Friedman AC: Pancreatic Neoplasms. In Friedman AC, Dachman AH, eds:
Radiology of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen, St. Louis, 1994, Mosby-Year Book, pp 807-934
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Vascular Supply & Innervation
Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy, New Jersey, 1989, Novartis.
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pancreatic Duct
Gray H: Anatomy, Descriptive and Surgical. Pick TP, Howden R, eds. Philadelphia, 1974, Running Press.
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Establishing the Diagnosis
• Initial presentation varies with the location of
tumor:
– Head of pancreas Æ Symptoms of obstruction of
the intrapancreatic portion of common bile duct
(steatorrhea, weight loss, jaundice)
– Body, tail Æ Symptoms from invasion of celiac
ganglia (pain, weight loss). Obstruction less
common
– Courvoisier’s law
• Imaging studies play two primary roles:
– Diagnosis
– Selecting optimal treatment strategies (i.e. surgical
vs. nonsurgical)
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Menu of tests for
Imaging Pancreatic CA
Test Sensitivity Specificity Useful in Staging
US 80% 90% No
EUS 90% 90% Yes
CT 90% 95% Yes
ERCP 90% 90% No
MRI 90% 90% No
FNA 90% 98% No
Steer ML: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic cancer. From UpToDate literature search, http://www.uptodate.com
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Radiologic Studies in the Evaluation and Treatment of Suspected
Pancreatic CA
Zeman RK, Silverman PM: Computed Tomography. In Evans SRT, Ascher SM, eds: Hepatobiliary
and Pancreatic Surgery: Imaging Strategies and Surgical Decision Making, New York, 1998, Wiley-Liss, pp 445-463.
Contrast-enhanced helical CT scan (or MRI)
Dilated biliary tree
Suspected pancreatic CA
Nondilated biliary tree
Unresectable on CT criteria
Unresectable FNA
ERCP (MRCP)
+/- stent placement
Resectable based on CT criteria
Surgical exploration
Resectable
Questionable resectability
based on CT criteria
Visceral angiography or EUS
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
J.C. E.G.
• 74 yo female
• 2 weeks intermittent
upper abdominal pain
– “Achy” in nature
– Radiating to back
– Worse with eating
– 5-10 lb weight loss
• PE no focal findings
• Lab findings: wnl
• 70 yo male
• Steatorrhea, weight loss
• PE: Jaundice,
nontender palpable
gallbladder
• Lab findings: Bili, Alk
Phos
Let’s Discuss 2 Patients
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Radiologic Diagnosis - CT
• Patient J.C.
• Diffuse enlargement
• Focal low density
mass, noncalcified,
at neck-body
junction
• Dilated pancreatic
duct
Image courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
DDX: Mass in the Region of the Pancreas on CT or MRI
• COMMON:
– Pancreatic CA
– Abscess (pancreas,
lesser sac)
– Aortic aneurysm
– CA of duodenum,
ampulla, bile duct,
gallbladder, liver
– Gastric neoplasm
– Lymphadenopathy
– Metastasis
– Pancreatic pseudocyst,
cyst, or benign neoplasm
– Pancreatitits
– Renal cyst or neoplasm
– Splenic mass
• UNCOMMON:
– Hydatid cyst
– Portal vein
thromboembolism
– Retroperitoneal cyst
or neoplasm
Reeder & Felson’s Gamuts in Radiology: Comprehensive List of
Roentgen Differential Diagnoses.
Pathologic analysis is ‘gold
standard’ for dx.
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Patient J.C.: Intact Mesenteric Artery-
ResectableResectable
• CT revealed
preservation of fat
plane around SMA
• No evidence of
metastatic disease
Image courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
Hypodense fat plane surrounding
SMA, indicating tumor has not
invaded this vessel
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Surgical Treatment:
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple)
http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/surgery.cfm
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Radiologic Diagnosis - CT
• Patient E.G.
• Heterogeneous
mass in pancreatic
head
• Dilated pancreatic
and common bile
ducts – “double
duct” sign
Image courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Patient E.G.: Involvement of Porto-Mesenteric
Vasculature-Non Resectable
• CT-Angiogram (CTA)
reconstruction
demonstrated encased
and compressed main
portal vein at the origin
of the superior
mesenteric vein
• Not amenable to
surgical resection
Image courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Management Strategies
• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• Surgical resection
• Palliation
• Depends on extent, location of tumor at
diagnosis
•• Radiologic studies have a key role in Radiologic studies have a key role in
determining optimal treatment (i.e. determining optimal treatment (i.e.
surgical vs. nonsurgical)surgical vs. nonsurgical)
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
A different patient A showing Obliteration of Splenic Vein with
Liver Metastases - Non Resectable
Image courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
Obliterated splenic vein
Hepatic metastases
Siegelman ES: Pancreatic MR defines ducts, pinpoints disease.
http://www.dimag.com/bodymri/pancreatic
• CT demonstrating: • MR max. intensity projection image (portal venous
phase of contrast enhancement) showing:
Obliterated splenic vein (no contrast-asterix)
Prominent collateral vessel (gastroepiploic vein)
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
This patient may benefit from
Palliation: Celiac Plexus Neurolysis (CPN)
• Chemical
splanchnicectomy of
celiac plexus (absolute
ethanol)
• Ablates afferent nerve
fibers that transmit
visceral pain
• Approx. 70% will have
relief of pain for up to
24 weeks
From Wiersema MJ, Wiersema LM. Endosonography-guided
celiac plexus neurolysis. Gastrointest Endosc 1996; 44:656.
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Image-Guided Palliative Therapy
From Wiersema MJ, Wiersema LM. Endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. Gastrointest Endosc 1996; 44:656.
EUS Fluoroscopic monitoring
Ethanol distribution following
injection into L periaortic space
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Lets review the appearance of
Pancreatic Cancer on other
imaging modalities
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Patient B:Magnetic Resonance
• MR imaging useful when clinical
suspicion for disease is high,
but CT results are negative or
equivocal
• T1-weighted fat-suppressed
images usually provide better
resolution
– Desmoplastic reaction of
most pancreatic CA lowers
signal intensity of tumor on
T2-weighted images
– Better contrast between
tumor and normal pancreas
Friedman AC: Pancreatic Neoplasms and Cysts. In Friedman AC, Dachman AH, eds:
Radiology of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen, St. Louis, 1994, Mosby-Year Book, pp 807-934.
T1-weighted image without fat-suppression shows poor
contrast between tumor and normal pancreas
T1-weighted fat-suppressed image allows better
contrast; normal pancreas (white arrow)
increases in signal much more than tumor (black
arrow)
A
B
A
B
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
ERCP & MRCP
Dilated, irregular pancreatic duct
with filling defects
Images courtesy of BIDMC Department of Radiology
ERCP: Patient C
Dilated side branches of pancreatic duct
MRCP: Patient D
Dilated pancreatic duct and side branches
Gallbladder
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Patient E: Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
• Improved diagnosis and
localization of small (<2-
3cm) lesions
– Early identification is
crucial
– 30% 5-year survival rate
• Useful in detecting lymph
node and vascular
involvement
• Can determine invasion of
duodenal wall and pancreas
by ampullary tumors
• More accurately detailed
staging information
• Does not reliably detect
lesions distant from the
pancreas
http://www.mc.Vanderbilt.Edu/surgery/pncnprog.html
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/endoscopy/Endo%20site/EUS.html
EUS of pancreatic mass
Involving SMV-portal vein
confluence
Diagram of echoendoscope
imaging pancreatic mass
through pyloric wall
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Patient F: The Preoperative
Response to Treatment may be
evaluated by Nuclear Medicine
• 18FDG-PET scan performed before (A) and
after (B) taxol-based neoadjuvant
chemoradiation.
URL: http://www.mc.Vanderbilt.Edu/surgery/pncnprog.html
Near total reduction in tumor-specific signal following completion of
taxol-based neoadjuvant chemoradiation
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Take Home Points
• Carcinoma of the pancreas is an almost uniformly
fatal cancer
• Disturbances in pancreatic structure/function
determine initial presentation
• Duct cell adenocarcinoma and its variants account for
~90% of all pancreatic tumors – most occur in the
head of the pancreas
• CT is the best pancreatic imaging modality Æ useful
in detection and staging of pancreatic CA
• Helical CT and CTA are useful in determining
vascular involvement, resectability of pancreatic
tumors (10-15%):
• Radiologic techniques are essential in the
performance of nonoperative palliation – CPN
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Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
References
• Friedman AC: Pancreatic Neoplasms and Cysts. In Friedman AC, Dachman AH, eds: Radiology of the
liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen, St. Louis, 1994, Mosby-Year Book, pp 807-934.
• Gray H: Anatomy, Descriptive and Surgical. Pick TP, Howden R, eds. Philadelphia, 1974, Running Press.
• Kuroda A, Nagai H: Surgical Anatomy of the Pancreas. In Howard J, et al., eds: Surgical Diseases of the
Pancreas, Baltimore, 1998, Williams & Wilkins, pp 11-21.
• Massachusetts General Hospital Endoscopy, http://mgh.harvard.edu/endoscopy.
• Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy, New Jersey, 1989, Novartis.
• Novelline RA. Squire’s Fundamentals of Radiology, Cambridge, 1997, Harvard University Press.
• Raptopoulos V, Steer ML, Sheiman RG, Vrachliotis TG, Gougoutas CA, Movson JS. The use of helical CT
and CT angiography to predict vascular involvement from pancreatic cancer: correlation with findings at
surgery. AJR 1997; 168:971-977.
• Reeder & Felson’s Gamuts in Radiology: Comprehensive List of Roentgen Differential Diagnoses.
• Siegelman ES: Pancreatic MR defines ducts, pinpoints disease.
http://www.dimag.com/bodymri/pancreatic.
• Steer ML: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic cancer. From UpToDate literature
search, http://www.uptodate.com.
• Thoeni RF, Blankenberg F: Pancreatic Imaging, Radiol Clin North Am 1993; 31:1085-1113.
• Vanderbilt Department of Surgery, http://www.mc.Vanderbilt.Edu/surgery/pncnprog.
• Wiersema MJ, Wiersema LM: Endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis, Gastrointest Endosc
1996; 44:656
• Zeman RK, Silverman PM: Computed Tomography. In Evans SRT, Ascher SM, eds: Hepatobiliary and
Pancreatic Surgery: Imaging Strategies and Surgical Decision Making, New York, 1998, Wiley-Liss, pp 445-
463.
29
Frank Acosta, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Acknowledgments
• Vassilios Raptopoulos, MD
• Chad Brecher, MD
• Gillian Lieberman, MD
• Beverlee Turner & Pamela Lepkowski
• Larry Barbaras and Cara Lyn D’amour,
our webmasters
Radiologic and Anatomic Characterization of Pancreatic Cancer and Implications for Treatment
Agenda
Epidemiology of Pancreatic CA
Classification of Pancreatic Neoplasms
Classification of Pancreatic Neoplasms
Vascular Supply & Innervation
Pancreatic Duct
Establishing the Diagnosis
Menu of tests for �Imaging Pancreatic CA
Radiologic Studies in the Evaluation and Treatment of Suspected Pancreatic CA
J.C. E.G.
Radiologic Diagnosis - CT
DDX: Mass in the Region of the Pancreas on CT or MRI
Patient J.C.: Intact Mesenteric Artery- Resectable
Surgical Treatment: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple)
Radiologic Diagnosis - CT
Patient E.G.: Involvement of Porto-Mesenteric Vasculature-Non Resectable
Management Strategies
A different patient A showing Obliteration of Splenic Vein with Liver Metastases - Non Resectable
This patient may benefit from �Palliation: Celiac Plexus Neurolysis (CPN)
Image-Guided Palliative Therapy
Lets review the appearance of Pancreatic Cancer on other imaging modalities
Patient B:Magnetic Resonance
ERCP & MRCP
Patient E: Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
Patient F: The Preoperative �Response to Treatment may be �evaluated by Nuclear Medicine
Take Home Points
References
Acknowledgments