Abstract

Objectives: To investigate some clinical, serum biochemical, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer treated at Thai Nguyen oncology centre.

Method: A descriptive study from May 2017 to May 2022 was conducted on 43 patients with pancreatic cancer treated at Thai Nguyen oncology centre.

Results: Mean age: 52.3 ± 19.5, (51.2 % of cases were from 40 to 60), 67.4% of cases were male. Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite were common symptoms. 65.1% of patients had elevated serum CA 19 - 9 levels. Abdominal ultrasound detected 41/43 pancreatic tumors; 75.6% tumors were in the head of pancreas; common image was hypoechoic mass with irregular margin, unclear boundary. Abdominal computed tomography showed 72.1% of tumors were in the head of pancreas; the median size of tumor was 4.07 ± 1.64 cm (90.7 % of tumors were > 2 cm); the common image was hypodense mass with irregular margin, unclear boundary; irregular pancreatic parenchyma; tumor absorbed less contrast enhancement after injection. The number of cases with biliary tract dilatation was 46.5%, with pancreatic duct dilatation was 39.5%, with invasion to abdominal blood vessels/orther organs was 23.3%, with abdominal lymph node involvement was 37.2%, with abdominal orther metastases was 18.6%. Patients with pancreatic head tumor were more likely to have jaundice and dilated biliary tracts. Diagnosis of pancreatic tumor location by ultrasound was consistent with this by abdominal computed tomography.

Conclusion: Pancreatic cancer was common in middle - aged, male. Most patients had abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, poor appetite, and elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography were valuable in detecting the location, features of the tumor, and the extent of its spread. Pancreatic head cancer was often associated with jaundice, dilated biliary tracts.