Pancreatic cancer laboratory tests: Difference between revisions
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{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}};{{PSD}} | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}};{{PSD}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer include abnormal liver function tests, elevated CA 19-9 and CEA levels. | Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of pancreatic [[cancer]] include abnormal [[liver function tests]], elevated [[CA 19-9]] and [[CEA]] levels. | ||
==Laboratory Findings== | ==Laboratory Findings== | ||
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:*[[Tumor markers]]: [[Tumor markers]] are substances that can sometimes be found in the blood when [[cancer]] is present. Two [[tumor markers]] may be helpful in pancreatic [[cancer]]: | :*[[Tumor markers]]: [[Tumor markers]] are substances that can sometimes be found in the blood when [[cancer]] is present. Two [[tumor markers]] may be helpful in pancreatic [[cancer]]: | ||
::*[[CA 19-9]] is a substance often released into the blood by [[exocrine]] pancreatic [[cancer]] cells, although it often can’t be detected until the cancer is already advanced | ::*[[CA 19-9]] is a substance often released into the blood by [[exocrine]] pancreatic [[cancer]] cells, although it often can’t be detected until the cancer is already advanced | ||
::*[[Carcinoembryonic antigen]] (CEA) is another [[tumor marker]] that might help find advanced pancreatic [[cancer]] in some people, but it is not used as often as [[CA 19-9]]. | ::*[[Carcinoembryonic antigen]] (CEA) is another [[tumor marker]] that might help find advanced pancreatic [[cancer]] in some people, but it is not used as often as [[CA 19-9]]. | ||
Revision as of 17:29, 20 August 2015
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2];Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [3]
Overview
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer include abnormal liver function tests, elevated CA 19-9 and CEA levels.
Laboratory Findings
- Liver function tests: Jaundice is often one of the first signs of pancreatic cancer, but it can have many causes other than cancer.
- Tumor markers: Tumor markers are substances that can sometimes be found in the blood when cancer is present. Two tumor markers may be helpful in pancreatic cancer:
- CA 19-9 is a substance often released into the blood by exocrine pancreatic cancer cells, although it often can’t be detected until the cancer is already advanced
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is another tumor marker that might help find advanced pancreatic cancer in some people, but it is not used as often as CA 19-9.
- Neither of these tumor marker tests is accurate enough to tell for sure whether or not someone has pancreatic cancer. Levels of these tumor markers are not high in all people with pancreatic cancer, and some people who don’t have pancreatic cancer might have high levels of these markers for other reasons. Still, these tests can sometimes be helpful, along with other tests, in figuring out if someone has cancer.
- Other blood tests: Other tests can help evaluate a person’s general health (such as kidney and bone marrow function). These tests can help determine if they’ll be able to withstand the stress of a major operation