Pancreatic Cancer Screening

That’s because pancreatic cancer is difficult to catch early, as there are no pancreatic cancer screening options for people at average risk of the disease. It’s typically detected once symptoms occur, which is after the cancer has grown fairly large and often spread to other areas of the body.

But while no screening tests have proved to reduce pancreatic cancer deaths in the general population, there are ways to detect pancreatic cancer early in certain high-risk populations. And Winship is committed to doing so.

Experts at Winship recommend people at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer have regular tests to check for signs of cancer. We even have a high-risk pancreatic cancer clinic that monitors these individuals and provides genetic counseling if desired.

Those at high risk include people who:

• Have previously been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
• Have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or have been diagnosed with certain gene mutations that increase pancreatic cancer risk
• Have chronic pancreatitis, a condition that causes the organ to become inflamed
• Have pancreatic cysts

There are currently no pancreatic cancer screening guidelines for high-risk individuals. Winship is currently researching which screening methods are best for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in certain high-risk individuals and at what frequency they should be offered. Until that research is conclusive and pancreatic cancer screening guidelines are developed, individuals at high risk should work with their gastroenterologist to determine how often they should receive a test to check for cancer.

If you’re at high risk for pancreatic cancer, talk to your Winship gastroenterologist about a pancreatic cancer screening regimen, which may include:

• MRI. This noninvasive imaging test allows your physician to examine your pancreas and pancreatic ducts without the need for contrast dye.
• Endoscopic ultrasound. During this exam, a long, flexible ultrasound probe is inserted through the mouth and into the digestive tract. It allows your physician a real-time view of the pancreas to look for tumors and collect samples for biopsy.

There are usually no early signs of pancreatic cancer. Telltale symptoms, such as jaundice, generally don’t show up until the disease has already become advanced. Jaundice, or the yellowing of the skin or eyes, can occur with pancreatic cancer when the tumor grows large enough that it blocks the pancreatic bile duct, causing a buildup of bilirubin, which is a yellow substance drained by the biliary vessels. Other signs of jaundice include dark, tea-colored urine, greasy or clay-colored stools, and skin itchiness.

Other pancreatic cancer symptoms include:

• Back pain
• Pain in the abdomen
• Depression
• Unexplained weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sudden-onset diabetes

Most of these symptoms — especially back pain and depression — have many causes, and are rarely indicative of pancreatic cancer. Still, if you have two or more of these symptoms, it’s important to report them to your doctor so you can get an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. The sooner pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the better your prognosis will be.

Researchers at Winship are currently studying the potential of blood-based tests to screen for pancreatic and other cancers. Once developed, a blood test could be used to detect pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals at earlier stages.