Help Ease My Mind - Pancreatic Cancer Query

Heya all

This may sound totally unfounded, but Steve Jobs death really hit me. I have had pancreas issuse for years, ranging from pancreatitis to acute pancreatitis, to cysts on my pancreas and biliary obstructions.

So pretty much lots of pain.

Anyway, does anyone here know off hand which blood tests need to be run to check for pancreatic cancer. I already sent my doctor an email, but that could take a week to hear from him or an hour.

Anway, with my scope coming tuesday and my current pancreas problems, elevated enzymes, I am worried.

I may already have had blood tests for this,  kaiser gives me access to see the results online, if someone knows which test might indicate it I could look at my own results over the past years.

I am sure I am just building this up in my head, nothing to see here, please move along....

after you answer that is :)

Thanks

Jon

From what I'm aware (my close friend's Mother actually passed away from pancreatic cancer last month, 4 days after she was diagnosed), a patient will present with jaundice, pain and extreme weight loss. Your blood sugar levels will also be elevated. Blood tests done will include liver function, tumor markers and pancreatic enzymes. A CT scan would also have to be performed to find the location of the tumor and then the tumor would have to be biopsied. If you are really that concerned, I would suggest going to see your specialist. I understand that sometimes we feel like we complain or worry too much about things, but at the same time diseases like pancreatic cancer are very hard to diagnose and most people are diagnosed too late. Better to be safe than sorry.