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Pancreatic Cancer Screening
If an individual presents signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer, tests will be done to establish the cause. Testing for pancreatic cancer involves a physical exam and additional blood and imaging tests.
Individuals may undergo additional tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer, including:
- Lab tests: Blood tests may reveal abnormalities with liver function and detect pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). An elevation may also be detected in some blood tests, which are known as tumor markers (CA19-9).
- Imaging tests: CT, MRI, PET/CT, and ultrasound tests can help doctors find and diagnose pancreatic cancer and see whether or not it has spread.
- Endoscopy/Biopsy: UI Health specializes in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer via endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Doctors may remove a sample of the pancreatic tumor to see if it is cancerous during this procedure.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This imaging test looks at the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts to see if they are blocked, narrowed, or dilated. Doctors may place a stent to relieve any blockage of the bile ducts, if necessary.
