A member asked:

If pancreatic cancer was the cause of a blood clot,weight loss and digestive problems,would there be abnormalities in pancreatic function blood tests?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

No: There are no common serum markers for pancreatic function. Amylase and lipase are markers for recent pancreatic injury and are usually normal with pancreatic cancer. If there is any suspicion -- including a bizarre and unexpected thrombous, perhaps at an odd location -- imaging studies of the pancreas may be in order.

Answered 6/17/2015

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Pancreas blood tests: Commonly used blood tests of pancreatic-derived proteins (lipase, amylase, insulin, etc.) are notoriously poor markers for cancer given the variety of other things that may elevate them, and the reserve capacity of most organs. So, to answer your question, not neccesarily. Best tests are high resolution CT with specific pancreas-protocol, and EUS with biopsy.

Answered 6/10/2015

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