Abstract

Cytologic examination of peritoneal washing was performed on 20 patients with pancreatic carcinoma (6 ampulla vateri, 12 head, 2 body). The age of the patients varied between 45 and 86, with an average of 64. 11 patients were male (55%) and 9 were female (45%). Of the 20 patients studied 3 had Class V, one had Class IV.

Cytologic studies concerning periotenal washings or of ascitic fluid in patients with pancreatic carcinoma are rare. In our study, positive cytology was accompanied with unresectability, metastasis and late stage disease.