CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 11, 166-181, Copyright
© 1961 by American Cancer Society
Carcinoma of the Pancreas, Biliary Tract and Liver
PART II
Howard F. Raskin M.D.1,
Robert D. Moseley Jr. M.D.1,
Joseph B. Kirsner M.D.1, and
Walter L. Palmer M.D.1
1 The Departments of Medicine and Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
The "early" diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas, liver and biliary tract thus continues to represent an almost unattainable ideal. The long asymptomatic period and the inaccessibility of these structures to available methods present great obstacles in diagnosis. Recent experience suggests, however, that comprehensive examinations with newer roentgen techniques, chemical analysis and exfoliative cytologic study of the duodenal and pancreatic contents may facilitate earlier recognition of these tumors than had been possible heretofore. Continued investigation of the problem may produce more effective diagnostic techniques. It is conceivable also that as the surgeons deal with more limited neoplasms of the pancreas and biliary tract new procedures and operative techniques will be developed to improve the surgical results and to increase the number of survivors; at least this has been the history of medical diagnosis and surgical management of other previously "incurable" lesions. The early diagnosis and treatment of neoplasms of this region represent one of the most challenging of all cancer problems. The solution to this important problem may depend upon the magnitude of the attention and study directed to it. The objective today may seem unattainable but in relation to the medical and surgical accomplishments noted within our lifetime, the solution should not be discarded as impossible.
