Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be difficult because of the presence of mimicking masses, which may correspond to chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic pseudocysts, autoimmune pancreatitis, or primary pancreatic lymphomas. The aim of this paper is to understand the distinctive features of these diseases in order to guide appropriate management and improve patient outcomes.
Methods: This article reviews the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and its mimicking masses.
Results: Pancreatic cancer often presents with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. It requires a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach that includes clinical evaluation, imaging, laboratory tests, and, when possible, histological samplings. Mimicking masses such as chronic pancreatitis exhibit overlapping symptoms and imaging features with pancreatic cancer, making histopathological evaluations essential for differentiation. Pancreatic pseudocysts may mimic cancer on imaging but lack malignant potential, often resolving spontaneously or requiring a minimally invasive drainage procedure. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, characterized by hormone secretion and distinct histological patterns, require specialized imaging modalities and tissue biopsy for accurate diagnosis. Autoimmune pancreatitis and primary pancreatic lymphomas present diagnostic challenges due to their autoimmune and lymphoproliferative symptoms, respectively, necessitating a combination of serological, histopathological, radiological and molecular analyses to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
Conclusion: Multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical expertise, advanced imaging techniques, and molecular diagnostics are crucial to diagnose pancreatic cancer and its mimicking masses. A good understanding of distinctive features can help for an accurate diagnosis and guide optimal management strategies. Continued research efforts are warranted to enhance diagnostic precision, identify novel biomarkers, and improve therapeutic outcomes for patients affected by these challenging conditions.