Pancreatic cancer diagnosis
- ERCP
- abdominal CT scan
- pancreatic biopsy
- abdominal ultrasound
- abdominal MRI
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Pancreatic cancer diagnosis - physical exam
The first step in diagnosing pancreatic cancer is a thorough medical history and a
complete physical examination. The doctor will inquire about the severity of the pain, how
long it has been present, its location, etc. A physical examination will be conducted to
check for fluid accumulation, or any lumps, or masses, in the abdomen. The skin and the
whites of the eyes will be checked for jaundice. Blood tests will be performed to rule out
the possibility of liver diseases that can also contribute to jaundice.
Pancreatic cancer diagnosis - imaging
Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI imaging, or ultrasonography may be ordered in order
to get a detailed picture of the internal organs. This will also help to check whether the
cancer has spread to other organs beyond the pancreas.
Other procedures for a Pancreatic cancer diagnosis
The doctor may perform a test known as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography), where a long thin tube is passed down the patient's throat and
food pipe (through an endoscope and under endoscopic guidance) into the stomach. This
enables the doctor to check for any blockage of the pancreatic ducts that may be due to
cancer. The doctor can also place a small brush in the tube and collect some cells from
the pancreas. These can then be examined microscopically, and any cancerous cells, if
existing, can be detected.
The most definitive test for pancreatic cancer is a biopsy, where a sample of the tumor
is removed and examined microscopically. |