What are the abnormalities in blood indicators for pancreatic cancer?

Written by Cui Fang Bo

Oncology

Updated on March 17, 2025

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Blood markers for pancreatic cancer often show multiple abnormalities. Pancreatic cancer itself can lead to an increase in related tumor markers. The two most common markers are carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, especially carbohydrate antigen 19-9, which has a certain specificity. If pancreatic cancer progresses further, leading to compression of the biliary system, corresponding jaundice indicators can increase. This includes an increase in total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, as well as alkaline phosphatase and gamma-GTP. The most common metastasis site for pancreatic cancer is the liver, and after liver metastasis occurs, corresponding liver transaminases can increase.

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What to do about pancreatic cancer pain?

Pancreatic cancer pain is common in clinical practice, with some patients presenting with abdominal pain as their initial symptom. Pain management can be symptomatic, using analgesics for relief. For mild pain, tramadol can be chosen for pain relief. For severe pain, opioid analgesics such as morphine sustained-release tablets, oxycodone sustained-release tablets, or morphine tablets can be used for pain relief. These are merely symptomatic treatments. The fundamental approach involves surgical or oncological treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer. Only when the tumor is controlled will the symptoms of pain be alleviated.

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Is pancreatic cancer contagious?

Pancreatic cancer, like other malignant tumors, is not contagious. Therefore, in clinical settings, including patients' families and accompanying healthcare staff often ask doctors if they might catch the disease while interacting with cancer patients. It is important to educate that malignant tumors, including pancreatic cancer, are not contagious. Contagious diseases refer to chronic conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, AIDS, etc., which can spread through contact with bodily fluids or blood of the affected individuals. However, malignant tumors are not infectious.

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Does pancreatic cancer cause bloody stools?

Patients with pancreatic cancer may exhibit clinical symptoms of bloody stools, and the possible causes are as follows: First, the lesion of pancreatic cancer invades organs and tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, causing damage to the mucous membranes, which clinically results in bloody stools. Second, if the pancreatic cancer metastasizes to the liver, liver function is impaired. Some patients may develop hyperactive splenic function, leading to a decline in platelet counts. When platelet levels drop to a certain extent, spontaneous visceral bleeding can occur, which may also manifest as bloody stools clinically. Third, in the late stages of pancreatic cancer, the disease may cause metastasis to multiple organs, leading to the complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation. This results in impaired coagulation function, making gastrointestinal bleeding likely, which is also clinically manifested as bloody stools.

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How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?

The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in the upper abdomen and jaundice. During physical examination, a mass in the upper abdomen can be felt, which is a common symptom. When these symptoms appear, further abdominal ultrasound or CT scans should be performed, as these two are the most commonly used imaging methods for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Additionally, pancreatic MRI or PET-CT can also help enhance the diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic cancer. MRCP and ERCP are also used to assess the bile ducts and to evaluate the feasibility of surgery. Blood tests for pancreatic cancer-related tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9, are commonly performed, with CA19-9 being particularly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

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Can patients with advanced pancreatic cancer eat watermelon?

Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer can eat watermelon. This is because many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer experience liver metastasis. Cancerous tissues damage liver cells, leading to impaired liver function and abnormal glycogen metabolism. Many patients may experience episodes of hypoglycemia, and eating watermelon can help replenish blood sugar, which is beneficial for the patients. Additionally, many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer suffer from a decline in appetite, and watermelon can stimulate their appetite and increase their food intake, which is also beneficial for their recovery. Thirdly, watermelon has a certain diuretic effect. Since many patients with advanced pancreatic cancer also suffer from hypoproteinemia, they are prone to edema. Eating watermelon can promote an increase in urine output, thereby helping to alleviate edema.