What are the indicators for pancreatic cancer?

Answer 1

Major risk factors include cigarette smoking, high-fat diet, Diabetes, and exposure to chemicals such as benzidine and coke. The most firmly established risk factor is cigarette smoking. Pancreatic Cancer develops twice as often in persons with a history of heavy cigarette use (more than two packs per day) than non smokers. The carcinogens from the tobacco probably reach the pancreatic ducts by the bile reflux or via the bloodstream. Another risk factor is a high-fat Western diet. High consumption of meat has also been implicated.

Diagnostic Indicators

Better diagnostic methods are need to diagnose Pancreatic Cancer as most of the current methods detect it in its advanced stages.

Transabdominal ultrasounds and CT scans are most common diagnostic imaging techniques used.

CT scans are often the initial study and provide information on metastasis and vascular involvement.

ERCP is the "gold standard" for visualization of the pancreatic duct and biliary system. When ERCP is used, pancreatic secretions, as well as tissue, can be collected for analysis of different tumor markers.

Endoluminal ultrasound involves imaging of the pancreas with the use of an endoscope positioned in the stomach and duodenum. This procedure also allows for fine needle aspiration of the tumor,

Tumor markers are used both for establishing the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and for monitoring the response to treatment.

CA 19-9 is most frequently increased in pancreatic cancer but may also be elevated in gallbladder cancer, as well as benign conditions such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, hepatitis, and biliary obstruction.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein expressed in the colon during embryonic development and is used as a tumour marker in pancreatic cancer. However, CEA is best known as a tumour marker for colon cancer and is less specific to pancreatic cancer.

Answer 2

Primary tests include CT scans, MRI's, Endoscopic Ultrasound, laparoscopy and biopsy.