Duodenal Stent for Pancreatic Cancer
- This 88 year old female had severe nausea and could not tolerate food due to a mass in the small bowel from a progressive pancreatic cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer is usually due to a ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (including its subtypes).
- More than 95% of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas arise from the exocrine elements and are referred to as exocrine pancreatic cancers.
- The most common presenting symptoms in patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer are pain, jaundice and weight loss.
- Initial investigations include imaging, such as right upper quadrant ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Endoscopic ultrasound may be of use in a patient suspected of pancreatic cancer based on clinical presentation but without a mass on initial imaging.
- In this patient, on endoscopy, extensive food residue in the stomach was removed and a metal stent inserted into the duodenum to allow the patient to eat.
- Further diagnostic evaluation and staging could then be performed whilst facilitating oral intake.