The process of diagnosis includes the following: - Review of
your medical history - Physical exam - Diagnostic testing Review
of Your Medical History Your doctor will ask you to describe
your symptoms in detail. You’ll be asked about your smoking and
alcohol habits (past and present), history of exposure to
chemicals, personal medical history, and family medical history.
Your doctor will perform a complete physical examination, paying
particular attention to the abdominal exam. Your doctor will
feel for a mass in your abdomen, and ask if you have any pain or
tenderness during the course of the exam. The following tests
may be done: A number of blood tests may be performed, although
they cannot be used to definitively diagnose pancreatic cancer.
The tests may show some of the changes that occur during
pancreatic cancer, such as elevated levels of the enzymes
amylase and lipase, increased bilirubin, elevated glucose, and
changes in liver function tests. These changes can occur in
other conditions, as well. Spec