Biopsy
To confirm suspected pancreatic cancer after a physical examination and imaging tests, a tissue sample may be obtained for microscopic examination using a technique called fine-needle aspiration. This is the removal of tissue or fluid for examination under a microscope.
To an experienced pathologist, each of the approximately 20 types of pancreatic tumors has a different appearance under the microscope. Careful microscopic evaluation remains the gold standard for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Many of these tumors require different treatments, and vary in their response to therapy.
Laparoscopic Staging
In the past, patients with pancreatic cancer needed exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the disease and identify tumors that could be removed surgically. Surgeons at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have pioneered a less invasive approach to exploratory surgery that involves inserting a laparoscope -- a thin, lighted tube with a camera on its tip -- through a tiny incision in the patient's abdomen. Surgeons use laparoscopy to view the pancreas and surrounding organs and determine the extent of the disease. With laparoscopy, patients who are not candidates for surgery can begin chemotherapy without delay, and unnecessary surgery can be avoided. Patients who are eligible for surgical treatment can receive a conventional operation immediately. Currently, the majority of pancreatic cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering who undergo surgery after laparoscopic staging have all or part of their tumor removed.
To learn more about surgical options for treating pancreatic cancer, see the Treatment section of this information overview.
