Pancreas and Biliary Tract

Abstract

In this chapter neoplasms will be discussed, with particular emphasis on fine needle aspiration (FNA). Epidemiologic data indicate that incidence and mortality rates of carcinoma of the pancreas steadily increased until 1970, and has since then plateaued.¹ The epidemiology of pancreatic cancer has been controversial. Most consistently documented etiologic factors are cigarette smoking, a high fat diet, diabetes mellitus, and an industrial carcinogenic exposure.^2–5 Most pancreatic cancers are duct cell adenocarcinoma and 65% occur in the head of the pancreas, resulting in jaundice. The remaining cases occur in the body and tail and are at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis.