The information on this page was reviewed and approved by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA.
This page was updated on March 29, 2021.
Accurately diagnosing pancreatic cancer often requires different types of tests. Your care team will use blood tests, imaging tests, biopsies and possibly molecular testing, to obtain as complete a picture as possible. This process also helps doctors identify appropriate treatment options.
Blood tests may provide clues, though not a definitive diagnosis. Tests may specifically look for:
Imaging screenings provide a visual snapshot of the pancreas to expose potential abnormalities. The type of tests used may depend on your situation and symptoms.
Tests may include:
A biopsy tests suspicious tissue for signs of cancer and is an important part of the diagnostic process. A tissue sample is taken, either during one of the endoscopic imaging procedures or with a needle biopsy (in which a fine needle is inserted into the pancreas to retrieve cells), then sent to a pathologist who studies it under a microscope.
If other tests indicate a high likelihood that a tumor is cancerous, the patient may undergo surgery to have it removed. In this case, the tissue may be analyzed after surgery, instead of through a biopsy.
Molecular testing is a more sophisticated analysis of tissue and cell samples, looking for specific gene mutations or proteins that may help direct treatment. Ask your care team whether you are a candidate for this test and whether it can be performed on your tissue sample.
Reviewing your test results enables your care team to put together a more complete picture of your condition, including the stage of the cancer and treatment options.
Determining the stage of pancreatic cancer is based on three important factors:
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages allows for a wider range of treatment options and a better chance for success. The main challenge is that symptoms typically don’t start in the initial period.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Keep in mind that these symptoms aren’t always due to pancreatic cancer and may be the result of other conditions. Still, it’s a good idea to report them to your doctor and get checked out.
Here are some other challenges to finding pancreatic cancer early:
Preventive screenings for pancreatic cancer are available but usually geared toward patients who are considered high risk because of inherited genetic syndromes or a family history of pancreatic cancer. About 10 percent of pancreatic cancer cases are familial, meaning there are multiple family members with pancreatic cancer, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
If you have a family history of cancer types other than pancreatic as well as any genetic mutations linked to pancreatic cancer, you may wish to speak with a genetic counselor and your doctor about screenings.
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer depend on its stage and factors such as age and other health conditions. They include:
In addition to existing treatments, clinical trials may offer newer forms of therapy. Provided you meet certain guidelines, one of these trials may be an option during your cancer care.
ASCO recommends genetic testing for patients who’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, as it may determine the right course of treatment. Close family members may also want to undergo this testing to learn more about their risk for pancreatic cancer.
Available 24/7 to discuss treatment options