Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cancer of the pancreas

Cancer of the pancreas may not be easy to diagnose. The symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions such as gallstones. If you notice any of the symptoms, such as pain in the abdomen or jaundice, see your GP as soon as possible. Your GP will ask you some questions and examine you, looking at your eyes and skin and feeling your abdomen. They may also do blood and urine tests to see if your blood contains high levels of certain chemicals that may indicate cancer.

You may be referred to a hospital for further tests and to see a specialist in problems of the digestive system called a gastroenterologist.

Tests may include:

• an ultrasound scan (this uses sound waves to look at your organs), 
• a CT (computerised tomography) scan, 
• an MRI (magnetic resonance) scan, and
• blood tests to look for substances called ‘tumour markers’ that might indicate cancer cells in your blood (for more information see the Selected links).

If you have cancer of the pancreas, the doctors will need to find out the location and size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

• You may have a test like an X-ray called an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) to look at your bile and pancreatic ducts, and remove any blockages. This is done using a long flexible tube with a tiny light and camera at the end of it. 
• An EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) is similar to an ERCP, but it uses sound waves instead of X-rays. A laparoscopy is another way for doctors to look at your pancreas. They make a small cut in your abdomen and insert a small, flexible viewing tube called a laproscope, while you are under general anaesthetic.

During any of these procedures, the doctor may also take a small sample of body tissue (biopsy) to examine under a microscope.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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