Can a blood test detect pancreatic cancer?

In daily life, you may hear about many patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. This disease is very harmful to the human body, so we should pay more attention to it. So, can a routine blood test detect pancreatic cancer? What kind of examination is needed? Let us talk about this aspect in detail below, I hope you like it.

Experts suggest that blood tests may not be able to detect cancer. The following are the methods for checking pancreatic cancer:

1. Ultrasound examination

It is the preferred method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer and a screening method in census. During the examination, attention should be paid to the size of the pancreatic head. If the thickness of the pancreatic head measured by ultrasound is greater than 30mm (the pancreatic head ultrasound value of most men is less than 30mm, and that of women is less than 28mm), and the thickness of the pancreatic body is greater than 25mm (normal men are less than 22mm, and women are less than 20mm), further follow-up examinations should be conducted. Low-echo solid masses can be seen. The shape of the pancreatic body is irregular, and tumors larger than 2cm can be found. Pancreatic duct dilatation, bile duct (intrahepatic or/and extrahepatic) dilatation, gallbladder enlargement, and intrahepatic metastatic lesions can also be found. The positive rate for pancreatic cancer of about 3cm can reach 80%.

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It can show abnormal pancreatic contours and determine early local invasion and metastasis based on the signal level of the T1-weighted image. MRI is superior to CT scans in determining pancreatic cancer, especially small pancreatic cancer confined to the pancreas, and the presence or absence of peripancreatic spread and vascular invasion. It is a better method for predicting pancreatic cancer before surgery.

3. CT examination

CT scans can show the exact location and size of pancreatic tumors and their relationship with the surrounding blood vessels, and can detect tumors with a diameter of about 1 cm. If the scan can be enhanced, or some lesions that are difficult to identify with plain scans can be displayed more clearly, low-density irregular lesions can be seen in the enhanced pancreatic parenchyma. This examination can be used for staging, which is conducive to determining the surgical method and prognosis. Currently, CT has become the main method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. The accuracy rate of CT in diagnosing pancreatic cancer can reach 98%.

4. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCp)

It has a high specificity for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In addition to showing the stenosis, filling defect and occlusion of the main pancreatic duct, the morphological changes of pancreatic duct stenosis can also be clearly observed. It can detect pancreatic duct lesions with tumors less than 2 cm, which is an effective method for diagnosing small pancreatic cancer.

5. Ultrasound examination of fiber gastroscope

An ultrasonic probe is installed on the top of the gastroscope, which can be placed close to the posterior wall of the stomach to conduct a comprehensive examination of the pancreas without being interfered by gas. This greatly improves the diagnosis rate of pancreatic cancer, clearly displays the pancreatic structure, and detects early lesions.

6. Selective angiography (SAG)

SAG is a damage examination, but it can make a diagnosis when the tumor is 1 cm. It can show the morphology of the arteries around the pancreas, which is important for determining whether the tumor has vascular invasion. For example, irregular stenosis and occlusion of the arteries, and the size of the tumor can be estimated based on the abnormal vascular area. The possibility of tumor surgery and the choice of surgical method can also be determined based on SAG findings. The presence of blocked arterial infiltration is very important in determining whether the tumor can be removed surgically. The accuracy rate is higher than 90%.

In the above content, we have introduced what kind of examinations are needed to diagnose pancreatic cancer? I believe everyone has a clear answer. For any disease, the effect is more impressive in the early stage of treatment. I hope everyone has a positive attitude, actively cooperates with the doctor's treatment, and recovers soon!