Two early detection blood tests for pancreatic cancer are available, but they’re only for people at high risk for this cancer. Other tests are in development for potential future use. A biopsy is still the only diagnostic test.
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early and treat in later stages. Newly developed early detection blood tests aim to solve this problem.
Blood tests for pancreatic cancer are only available for people with a known high risk for pancreatic cancer, such as people with certain genetic abnormalities or a family history of pancreatic cancer.
However, screening tests for the general public could be available in the future.
Currently, two blood tests might be able to detect pancreatic cancer earlier than other diagnostic tests and before any symptoms develop:
- GalleriTM
- PanCan-d (also known as PAC-MANN)
Each test costs around $1,000, and they are not covered by insurance plans or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These tests should not replace other cancer screening tests your doctor recommends.
GalleriTM test
The GalleriTM test may be able to detect the presence of over 50 types of cancer, including pancreatic.
The test is available for those considered at high risk for cancer, such as people over the age of 50 years with certain genetic abnormalities or people with a family history of cancer.
To take the GalleriTM blood test, you’ll need a doctor’s order. Once you have their approval, a test kit can be mailed to your home or doctor’s office.
A clinician will take a blood sample, and the results should be available in about 2 weeks.
Results of the GalleriTM test cannot diagnose pancreatic cancer. However, they can indicate the presence of cancer in your body. If your results are positive, you and your doctor can take additional steps.
PanCan-d test
The PanCan-d test is the first blood test made specifically for pancreatic cancer.
It’s only available for those considered at high risk for pancreatic cancer, such as people with a family history of pancreatic cancer or people who have certain genetic abnormalities. You’ll need a doctor’s order to take this test.
A blood sample will be collected and analyzed in a lab. The results will be available in about 1 week.
The test looks for biomarkers (also called tumor markers) in your blood that may indicate cancer or that your immune system is fighting cancer. A biomarker is a substance your body may make in elevated levels in response to cancer cells.
Results can be negative, borderline, or indicate pancreatic cancer. Results that indicate pancreatic cancer aren’t enough to confirm a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
You’ll need to take additional steps with your medical team if your results confirm the presence of pancreatic cancer biomarkers.
Finding pancreatic cancer early may dramatically improve outcomes. Researchers are working to develop screening tests that may detect pancreatic cancer early and expand treatment options.
Examples of tests in development include:
- A test that measures antibody fragments associated with pancreatic cancer. During its initial trial phase, the test had a 96% accuracy rate.
- A test that analyzes the output of cells called extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles contain proteins that may also be found in tumors. In trials, the test
predicted how likelyTrusted Source it is that these proteins become cancerous. - A liquid biopsy blood test that analyses RNA packaged in sacs called exosomes, which are released from tumors. The test can determine if these exosomes come from the pancreas.
In 2012, high school student Jack Andraka won the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair grand prize for developing a possible early detection method for pancreatic cancer. It may also work for ovarian and lung cancer.
His test method used paper antibody sensor strips to measure levels of a cancer biomarker called mesothelin. The test was said to be fast, accurate, and inexpensive.
Although it received acclaim and drew international attention, Jack Andraka’s work hasn’t been published in any peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Further studies haven’t duplicated his initial results. The test strips are not currently in development, and no further clinic tests have been announced.
Early detection blood tests may indicate the presence of cancer, but they aren’t enough for a diagnosis. Additional tests are still needed to confirm pancreatic cancers. These might include:
- biopsy (the only way to confirm a diagnosis)
- computed tomography (CT) scan
- positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
- percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)
- liver function testing
- molecular testing
Can people in their 20s get pancreatic cancer?
Your risk for pancreatic cancer increases as you age. However, people of any age can develop pancreatic cancer.
Is it hard to catch pancreatic cancer early?
Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early because it rarely causes early symptoms, and people without an elevated risk for pancreatic cancer aren’t typically screened for cancer.
Often, pancreatic cancer isn’t found until symptoms appear, unless it’s found during testing for another, unrelated condition.
As more early-detection tests are developed and become available, this might change, and screening for pancreatic cancer could become standard.
How is pancreatic cancer treated?
Pancreatic cancer is treated based on the stage a person is in when they receive a diagnosis and on their overall health. Treatment options often include:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- radiation
- immunotherapy
- other therapies
What’s the outlook for pancreatic cancer?
The outlook for pancreatic cancer depends on factors such as the stage at diagnosis, how well you respond to treatment, and your overall health.
According to the
| Stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
|---|---|
| localized | 44% |
| regional | 16% |
| distant | 3% |
| all stages combined | 13% |
Currently, two blood tests can help detect pancreatic cancer earlier than standard diagnostic tools in people at high risk for this cancer.
These tests, however, aren’t covered by insurance plans or FDA approved, but they can be part of the pancreatic cancer surveillance and diagnostic process for high risk people.
Additional tests are in development and might be available in the future. A biopsy is still the only way to confirm a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
