Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis And Symptoms Of Pancreas Cancer

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis is not easy. The pancreas is deep within the body and symptoms of pancreas cancer differ depending on the precise site of the pancreatic tumor. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer also depends on which cells or function is affected by the tumour or cancer.

Pancreatic cancer prognosis increases with an early diagnosis but the tumor may have grown considerably before it causes any clear recognizable symptoms. The problem lies in the fact that frequently there are no symptoms in the early stages. Also, symptoms of pancreas cancer are often vague, non-specific and can be mistaken for pancreatitis or by many other conditions.

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be delayed as the health practitioner or specialist in the field of oncology tries to discount other causes such as gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, hepatitis or stress. Symptoms of pancreas cancer vary according to the location of the tumor but generally, pale bowel movements, jaundice, and itching and dark urine. Not every one has every symptom. Other symptoms of pancreas cancer include discomfort or pain around the stomach area, sickness, loss of appetite, diabetes, back pain, unexplained weight loss and low mood or depression.

Blood clots are also associated with a pancreatic tumor (pancreas carcinoma) as are transient superficial blood clots in the surface veins in the legs or arms. Diabetes has also been associated with pancreatic tumor. Pancreatic Polypeptide levels are often low in patients with pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency and are also indicative of diabetes. They can be raised in as many as fifty percent of people with pancreas carcinoma.

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis is obtained via a variety of tests. A CT (computed tomography scan is a most useful test. It will show a small pancreatic tumor and whether the cancer has spread to the inner lining the peritoneum or further and maybe presenting liver disease.

Other tests used to aid pancreatic cancer diagnosis include an ultrasound or magnetic resonance. This diagnostic test uses sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. Magnetic resonance uses radio waves, a large magnet and a computer to create detailed images of organs inside the body. If jaundice is present, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram permits viewing of the pancreatic and bile ducts. The bile ducts can be forced open at the same time to reduce jaundice.

Pancreatic cancer diagnosis does not use any specific blood tests. However, it is possible to see measure Ca19-9 is a substance shed by adenocarcinoma cells in the bloodstream of most people with a pancreatic tumor. Tissue from the pancreas can be biopsy sampled or from the liver if, liver disease is present. All this information is important when diagnosing pancreatic cancer.