Investigating the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by surveillance of patients with “K-sign” of the pancreas by computed tomography: A prospective study

Abstract

Background

We previously conducted a retrospective study investigating pancreatic morphological abnormalities that lead to early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) using computed tomography (CT). We reviewed 41 of 308 PC patients between 2011 and 2017 who had previously undergone CT to look for morphological changes leading to cancer development. In 24 patients (58.5%), a K-shaped constriction of the pancreas (“K-sign”) was observed before the appearance of cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether an early PC diagnosis is possible by prospective CT follow-up of patients with the K-sign.

Methods

We investigated PC development through prospective surveillance of patients exhibiting K-signs identified on CT.

Results

Of approximately 87 000 CT scans performed between April 2019 and August 2022, the K-sign was observed in 54 patients. A total of 30 patients provided informed consent and were subsequently monitored using CT. Five patients (16.7%) were diagnosed with PC and underwent surgery after 3–24 months follow-up. Pathologically, four of five patients (80%) were diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer (stage 0–IA). All patients exhibited defects in acinar structure, fibrous tissue, fat replacement, and inflammatory cells, suggesting their potential involvement in PC development.

Conclusion

The detection and surveillance of the K-sign may be helpful for early PC diagnosis.