Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

In order to make a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, a doctor will usually conduct a physical exam, review the patient's medical history, and order certain tests and procedures. In many cases, diagnosing pancreatic cancer can be difficult because the disease often causes no early symptoms, and the pancreas is hidden behind other organs. Tests often used to make a pancreatic cancer diagnosis include lab tests, CT scans, and ultrasounds.

Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis: An Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and diagnose for the following reasons:
 
 
  • The signs of pancreatic cancer, when present, are similar to those of many other illnesses
 
  • The pancreas is hidden behind other organs (such as the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and bile ducts).
 
If a person has possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer, doctors will usually perform a physical exam, ask about the patient's personal and family medical history, and recommend additional tests and procedures. This will help the doctor make a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
 

Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer: Physical Exam and Medical History

During the physical exam, the doctor will typically:
 
  • Check for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual
  • Check for ascites (an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
  • Examine the skin and the eyes for signs of jaundice.
 
The medical history will entail an assessment of the patient's health habits, medical conditions, and a family history of any medical conditions, past illnesses, and treatments.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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