A 69-year old black man is evaluated because of a history of steadily increasing upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and a 4.6-kg (1 0-Ib) weight loss over the past several months. He recently noticed that the color of his urine was darker than usual. The patient had a 40-pack-year history of cigarette smoking, but quit smoking 4 years ago. He has hypertension that is controlled by medical management. Laboratory studies: Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL Serum total bilirubin 3.3 g/dL Serum albumin 3.2 g/dL Serum aspartate aminotransferase 105 U/L Serum alanine aminotransferase 95 U/L Urinalysis shows elevated bilirubin. CT scan of the abdomen shows dilation of the common bile and pancreatic ducts, a 5.2-cm mass in the head of the pancreas, and compression of the superior mesenteric vein. A fine-needle aspirate of the mass reveals atypical cells that are suspicious for malignancy. What is the most appropriate course of action?

• A. Refer the patient for exploratory laparotomy, biopsy, and biliary bypass
• B. Request a CT-guided biopsy of the mass in the head of the pancreas to establish a diagnosis
• C. Obtain a consultation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and possible biopsy and biliary stent placement
• D. Refer the patient to a tertiary-care center with surgical expertise in the management of patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary disease