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How does angiography show whether pancreatic cancer has spread to blood vessels?

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An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells. — pancreatic cancer The human pancreas is composed of two main types of tissue: acinar cells and islets of Langerhans. The acinar cells produce digestive enzymes, which are secreted into tiny ducts that feed into the pancreatic duct. Islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells that secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon directly into a capillary network, which also joins the pancreatic duct.

Angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes X-ray technology and a contrast medium to visualize blood vessels. In the context of pancreatic cancer, this technique is used to determine if a tumor has spread through the walls of the vessels that feed into the pancreas.12

By injecting a contrast agent—typically a water-soluble substance containing iodine—into the bloodstream, the vessels become distinguishable from surrounding tissues on a radiograph because the iodine casts a denser shadow. This allows physicians to observe the integrity of the vessel walls and identify whether the cancer has invaded the surrounding vasculature. Assessing this involvement is critical, as the ability to surgically remove a tumor often depends on whether it has invaded the blood vessels and nerves surrounding the pancreas.123