ERCP and PTC are other imaging techniques that can be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.

• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) — An endoscope is passed through the patient’s mouth and stomach, down into the first part of the small intestine. Then a smaller tube (catheter) is slipped through the endoscope into the bile and pancreatic ducts. After injecting dye through the catheter into the ducts, x-ray images are taken. The x-rays show whether the ducts are narrowed due to a tumor or any other condition.^[1][2][3]

• PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography) — A dye is injected through a thin needle inserted through the skin into the liver. Under normal conditions the dye moves freely through the bile ducts and shows up on x-ray. Blockage is visible on the X ray and can help detect the underlying pathology.^[4]