Abstract
We carried out routine examinations with ultrasonography, contrast CT scan, MRCP, and blood tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer early in asymptomatic subjects since August 2016. Since health insurance did not cover these examinations, all subjects underwent this evaluation at their own expense. By December 2018, 92 people had been evaluated. If an abnormality was found, the subsequent examinations such as EUS, medical treatment and observation were covered by health insurance. Reviewing the results, it was striking that 37% of subjects had a family history of pancreatic cancer as a motive for this evaluation. We found that 66% of healthy individuals had biliary or pancreatic abnormalities. Three cases of malignant tumors (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, gallbladder cancer, and recurrence of renal cell carcinoma) were diagnosed but there was no patient with pancreatic cancer. MRCP was generally superior for the detection of pancreatic lesions, but the detection rate of other modalities was higher depending on the individual. We hope that this study is useful for establishing a surveillance method for patients at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
