Updated 1 November 2005

There are no effective screening tests for pancreatic cancer. Tumours occurring in the head of the pancreas may be detected sooner because they can cause obstructive jaundice at an earlier stage than those arising from the body or the tail of the pancreas. Occasionally, a pancreatic mass may be detected incidentally in a patient undergoing imaging for an unrelated reason. The tumour marker CA 19-9 is of limited value in screening. It is not secreted by 10% to 15% of cases and can be elevated in benign conditions involving the pancreas or bile ducts.⁶ Endoscopic ultrasonography has shown some early promise in detecting lesions at an earlier stage, however, this remains investigational.⁷