Question 1

is pancreatic cancer a common cause of mildly elevated lipase levels?

Accepted Answer

Th

2 different lipa: There is a lipase made in the mouth and one made in the pancreas and they are chemically distinguishable. So yes. pancreatic cancer can raise lipase levels.

Question 2

when lipase levels do elevate because of pancreatic cancer, how high do the levels tend to get? very high or just slightly elevated?

Accepted Answer

May/may not. Unrelia: Lipase is not a reliable test for making a diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. It is  test which is largely limited in its usfulness, mostly for cases of pancreatitis.

Question 3

i am still so anxious about having pancreatic cancer. my lipase levels have fluctuated slightly over the past year - from 1 to 20 points over the reference range. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan. dr seems to think it's just me. but why??

Accepted Answer

Reference range: Reference range or normal values are derived by taking the central 95% of the levels in "healthy" people. Therefore, by definition, 5% of the "healthy" people have a level outside the reference range, without having any disease. Quit worrying about pancreatic cancer and your lipase level.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 4

are normal cbc, billuprin, amylase and lipase levels, ct scan and qualitative fecal fat test a good indication  against pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pancreatic cancer is most uncommon at your age to begin with (it is not a common cancer in  general). Normal blood tests and ct scan should reassure you that pancreatic cancer is not there.

Question 5

what is the usual level of lipase in someone with pancreatic cancer? how elevated does it get?

Accepted Answer

Poor test for cancer: Lipase is usually not elevated in Cancer arising from the Pancreas...so it is not a test we do to check for Cancer. Lipase and Amylase are tests done to make a diagnosis of Pancreatitis

Question 6

are pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) always elevated if pancreatic cancer is present?? what about insulin blood level?

Accepted Answer

See below: There are no good blood tests for pancreatic cancer. Amylase, Lipase and insulin levels are not helpful in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Question 7

lipase level at er was 60 unit/l with normal range being between 73 unit/l - 393 unit/l. should i be worried about cancer of the pancreas? i have appt with pcp in another week. my wbc & auto neutrophils slightly elevated. auto lymph slightly low.

Accepted Answer

Imagining: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, if pancreatic cancer is a concern, imaging studies would be more useful than lab tests.    
Wish you good health!

Question 8

is pancreatic cancer very rare at age 20 without any symptoms? bloodwork shows high lipase (242) and worried it could be cancer?

Accepted Answer

: High lipase is not the initial or common finding in pancreatic cancer. It is extremely rare to have a pancreatic cancer at age 20.

Question 9

my labs came back should i be worried my lipase are elevated to 59, wondering what could it be. hoping its not pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Why was it tested?: That's the most important question to ask. The context in which the lab was drawn will inform how it is interpreted. Lots of things can raise your lipase (e.g. Alcohol use, gallstones, medications, etc.) while pancreatic cancer is a (remote) possibility, have a positive attitude and follow up with your doctor. They can better help interpret the test. 59 is normal in my hospital, btw.

Question 10

would amylase and lipase be high or low with pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic Cancer: They would be high. Cancer implies growth of excess or abnormal tissue. This would lead to more enzymes than less.

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Doctor answers about:

Lipase levels in pancreatic cancer

A member asked:

Is pancreatic cancer a common cause of mildly elevated lipase levels?

A member asked:

When lipase levels do elevate because of pancreatic cancer, how high do the levels tend to get? very high or just slightly elevated?

A member asked:

I am still so anxious about having pancreatic cancer. my lipase levels have fluctuated slightly over the past year - from 1 to 20 points over the reference range. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan. dr seems to think it's just me. but why??

A member asked:

Are normal cbc, billuprin, amylase and lipase levels, ct scan and qualitative fecal fat test a good indication against pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

What is the usual level of lipase in someone with pancreatic cancer? how elevated does it get?

A member asked:

Are pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) always elevated if pancreatic cancer is present?? what about insulin blood level?

A member asked:

Lipase level at er was 60 unit/l with normal range being between 73 unit/l - 393 unit/l. should i be worried about cancer of the pancreas? i have appt with pcp in another week. my wbc & auto neutrophils slightly elevated. auto lymph slightly low.

A member asked:

Is pancreatic cancer very rare at age 20 without any symptoms? bloodwork shows high lipase (242) and worried it could be cancer?

A member asked:

My labs came back should i be worried my lipase are elevated to 59, wondering what could it be. hoping its not pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Would amylase and lipase be high or low with pancreatic cancer?

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