Other diagnoses that can mimic pancreatic cancer include other malignancies, benign tumors, chronic pancreatitis and autoimmune pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis can cause the abdominal pain, pancreatic dysfunction and strictures seen in pancreatic cancer. Imaging typically helps to further evaluate this possibility.
The symptoms of EPI are very similar to Crohn's disease, celiac disease, IBD, ulcerative colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can make it very hard to diagnose. Anything that damages the pancreas and stops or blocks the release of its enzymes can result in EPI.
Inflammatory conditions that mimic PAC include paraduodenal pancreatitis (PDP) or “groove pancreatitis,” autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), mass forming chronic pancreatitis, obstructive chronic pancreatitis, intrapancreatic splenules, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
Without detailed subspecialist knowledge and training, it can be easy to miss or misdiagnose pancreatic findings. Conditions pancreatic cancer may be mistaken for include: acute and chronic pancreatitis, fatty change of the pancreas, and duodenitis. There are also noncancerous lesions that can occur in the pancreas.
Imaging tests that create pictures of your internal organs.
Techniques used to diagnose pancreatic cancer include ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, sometimes, positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Pancreatic tumors most commonly form at the head of the pancreas, blocking the bile ducts. As a result, the first visible symptoms usually indicate jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, and dark urine.
Conditions that can lead to acute pancreatitis include: Gallstones. Alcoholism. Certain medications.
CT scans create pictures of your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. CT scans can show pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Chronic pancreatitis can mimic peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and other gastrointestinal conditions, making it difficult to diagnose.
What is pancreatic insufficiency? Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a condition which occurs when the pancreas does not make enough of a specific enzyme the body uses to digest food in the small intestine.
Pancreatitis and IBS are often mistaken for one another, or they can occur concurrently, so talk to a GI specialist to get to the bottom of your digestive issues.
Early signs of pancreatic cancer
Dark-colored urine. Itchy skin. Digestive problems, including abnormal stools, nausea or vomiting. Pain in the upper abdomen, which may extend to the back.
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is difficult to diagnose. Often, it doesn't cause any symptoms. Symptoms and signs of type 1 AIP are similar to those of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer may cause only vague unexplained symptoms. Pain (usually in the abdomen or back), weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes) with or without itching, loss of appetite, nausea, change in stool, pancreatitis and recent-onset diabetes are symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer.
Pancreas blood tests can detect problems with your pancreas. They can be used to diagnose acute pancreatitis and other conditions.
Other tests that may be used to check for complications of acute pancreatitis include: Full Blood Count (including white blood cell count) Glucose. The full blood count, electrolytes, and liver function tests are typically normal in chronic pancreatitis.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose pancreatitis include: Blood tests to look for elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, along with white blood cells, kidney function and liver enzymes.
A couple of acute abdominal conditions that can mimic pancreatitis include: impacted gallstones (biliary colic) gastric perforation or duodenal ulcer.
In rare cases, pancreatitis may be caused by viral infections such as mumps, coxsackie B, mycoplasma pneumonia, and campylobacter.
In addition to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are hallmark symptoms of acute pancreatitis. The stress on various systems can also cause those with the condition to appear as ill as they are. They may look pale, sweaty, and in distress.
Symptoms often include abdominal pain that radiates to the back and weight loss. Because the pancreas is near the spine, backaches are common. It sometimes causes people to itch all over their bodies.