The evaluation of pancreatic cancer begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with pancreatic cancer may include:

• Abdominal tenderness
• Abdominal swelling
• Jaundice:
• Yellow skin
• Yellow eyes
• Urine color change:
• Brown urine
• Unintentional weight loss

Tests that may be used to evaluate pancreatic cancer include:

• Complete blood count
• Serum amylase
• Serum lipase
• CA 19-9 level
• Serum triglycerides
• Serum cholesterol
• Kidney profile
• Liver profile
• Serum calcium level
• Urinalysis

Additional tests that may be used to evaluate pancreatic cancer include:

• Chest x-ray
• Cholangiogram:
• An x-ray test to show the passageways that drain the pancreas
• CT scanning of the abdomen
• MRI scan of the abdomen
• Abdominal ultrasound
• ERCP:
• An endoscopic test that shows the passageways that drain the pancreas
• Laparoscopy
• Pancreatic biopsy:
• Studying a tissue sample from the pancreas under a microscope.