Imaging Test Pros Cons
EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)
  • Close proximity to the pancreas, enabling the physician to visualize pancreatic tumors and determine size and location
  • Higher image resolution and detection rates of small lesions when compared to CT and MRI.8,9
  • Able to obtain a tissue biopsy during the exam, allowing for accurate staging of pancreatic cancer
  • If pancreatic cancer, able to provide accurate staging
  • Can visualize other organs to check if the cancer has spread
  • No radiation
  • Sedation required
  • Potential complications (very rare): bleeding, perforation, infection, pancreatitis
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
  • Images the pancreas well
  • Can determine tumor size and location
  • Can detect an abnormal area of the pancreas
  • Helps determine if disease has spread
  • Relatively quick
  • Can miss small lesions
  • Radiation
  • Difficult biopsy access
  • Requires breath holding
  • Artifacts from metal
  • Contrast, if needed, cannot be used for all patients due to allergies and chronic kidney issues
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
  • High quality images of pancreas and biliary system
  • No radiation
  • May trigger claustrophobia
  • Magnetic field, which may prevent patients with metal hardware from having an exam
  • Must remain still
PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
  • Helps determine if disease has spread
  • Can also be used to see if chemotherapy is working
  • When combined with CT, it provides a good picture of the patient’s condition
  • Radiation
  • Injected radiotracer may not be suitable for all patients (pregnant, breastfeeding, allergies)
  • Radioactivity post scan can pose a small risk to others
  • Cannot detect exact location of cancer

 

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)

Pros:

  • Close proximity to the pancreas, enabling the physician to visualize pancreatic tumors and determine size and location
  • Higher image resolution and detection rates of small lesions when compared to CT and MRI8,9
  • Able to obtain a tissue biopsy during the exam
  • If pancreatic cancer, able to provide accurate staging
  • Can visualize other organs to check if the cancer has spread
  • No radiation

Cons:

  • Sedation required
  • Potential complications (very rare): bleeding, perforation, infection, pancreatitis

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)

Pros:

  • Close proximity to the pancreas, enabling the physician to visualize pancreatic tumors and determine size and location
  • Higher image resolution and detection rates of small lesions when compared to CT and MRI8,9
  • Able to obtain a tissue biopsy during the exam
  • If pancreatic cancer, able to provide accurate staging
  • Can visualize other organs to check if the cancer has spread
  • No radiation

Cons:

  • Sedation required
  • Potential complications (very rare): bleeding, perforation, infection, pancreatitis

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)

Pros:

  • Close proximity to the pancreas, enabling the physician to visualize pancreatic tumors and determine size and location
  • Higher image resolution and detection rates of small lesions when compared to CT and MRI8,9
  • Able to obtain a tissue biopsy during the exam
  • If pancreatic cancer, able to provide accurate staging
  • Can visualize other organs to check if the cancer has spread
  • No radiation

Cons:

  • Sedation required
  • Potential complications (very rare): bleeding, perforation, infection, pancreatitis