Carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas.

Carcinoma of the body and tail accounts for 25 per cent of pancreatic neoplasms. Early symptoms are rare owing to the anatomic location. Metastasis often produces the initial symptoms. When body and tail carcinoma is suspected, a lateral view of the stomach and spot roentgenograms of the third and fourth duodenum are essential. The areas most frequently affected are the body of the stomach and the third and fourth duodenum. Anatomically, these areas are in closest relationship to the body of the pancreas, which is involved in 85 per cent of all body and tail neoplasms. The distal esophagus, gastric fundus, transverse colon, and splenic flexure may be involved, particularly in lesions confined to the tail of the pancreas. Noteworthy findings to be observed on plain roentgenograms include a soft tissue mass in the region of the pancreas and an enlarged spleen.