You are likely to have blood tests to check your general health and see how well your liver and kidneys are working. Some blood tests look for proteins produced by cancer cells. These proteins are known as tumour markers.
Tumour markers
Many people with pancreatic cancer have higher levels of particular tumour markers in their bloodstream. The markers that doctors will look for are CA 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen). On their own, however, these tumour markers can’t be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer. This is because some people with pancreatic cancer have normal levels of these markers, and other conditions can also raise the levels of these markers in the bloodstream.
It is normal for the levels of these tumour markers to go up and down a little. Your doctor will look for sharp increases and overall patterns. Raised levels can tell your doctor more about the cancer and, after diagnosis, can also show how well the treatment is working.
→ READ MORE: Imaging scans for pancreatic cancer
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More resources
Prof Lorraine Chantrill, Honorary Clinical Professor, University of Wollongong, and Head of Department, Medical Oncology, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW; Karen Baker, Consumer; Michelle Denham, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Anthony J Gill, Surgical Pathologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and The University of Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Koroush Haghighi, Liver, Pancreas and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Prince of Wales and St Vincent’s Hospitals, NSW; Dr Meredith Johnston, Radiation Oncologist, Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals, NSW; Dr Brett Knowles, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and General Surgeon, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and St Vincent’s Hospital, VIC; Rachael Mackie, Upper GI – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Jennifer Philip, Chair of Palliative Care, University of Melbourne, and Palliative Medicine Physician, St Vincent’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Lucy Pollerd, Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rose Rocca, Senior Clinical Dietitian – Upper GI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA.
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