Assessment of Resectability of Pancreatic Carcinoma by Computed Tomography

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths and among the most aggressive malignant tumors. Accurate staging and early diagnosis are essential for ensuring a suitable therapeutic approach, which should minimize surgical morbidity and mortality in patients with a high risk of residual disease following the intervention improving survival in patients for whom complete resection is acceptable. Aim of the study: To evaluate the accuracy of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) with a pancreatic protocol in determining pancreatic cancer resectability by comparing imaging findings with surgical outcomes, based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria. Patients and Methods: a prospective hospital-based study included 50 patients (ages 25 to 78) with pancreatic neoplasms confirmed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound imaging. Every patient involved underwent a clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, abdomen triphasic CT with pancreatic protocol, and consent taking. Results: According to NCCN, location and size have a significant impact on the respectability of pancreatic tumors with a p value < 0.05, however gender, age group, and effect on the biliary tree had no significant effect. The respectability of pancreatic tumors according to NCCN and the type of surgical interference is significantly impacted by the degree of arterial, venous, and lymphatic spread involvement, respectively (P value < 0.05). MDCT has 100% sensitivity, 76.92% specificity, 80% positive predictive value (PPV), 100% negative predictive value (NPV), and 88% accuracy in diagnosing and evaluating the resectability of the patient&#039;s pancreatic tumor. Conclusion: MDCT with a pancreatic protocol is a highly accurate, non-invasive imaging tool for assessing the resectability of pancreatic cancer. MDCT shows excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value, making it reliable for surgical planning. Its effectiveness in evaluating vascular involvement, lymph node status, and distant metastases supports its role as a standard preoperative assessment method, in line with NCCN guidelines.