Endoscopic Ultrasound And Pancreatic Ultrasound

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages because there may be no symptoms, and this makes it difficult to treat effectively.  Endoscopic pancreatic ultrasound has recently been used to diagnose , biopsy and aid in treatment of small pancreatic lesions. 

A new study has found that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is associated with improved outcomes in patients with localized pancreatic cancer, possibly due to the detection of earlier cancers and improved stage-appropriate management, including more selective performance of curative intent surgery. This is the first study to analyze a large population-based cancer registry and demonstrate that EUS evaluation is associated with improved pancreatic cancer survival. The study appears in the July issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).     

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/194287.php

 Another promising technology is called high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and is being researched as a way of literally destroying the tumor using ultrasound energy.