Pancreatic Marker Profile Test

The Pancreatic Marker Profile- measures the CEA, CA19.9, Gastrin, Insulin levels in the blood.

• The test is useful along with other specialized tests for the initial screening of pancreatic cancer. The test should however not be used in isolation for pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
• For monitoring treatment and relapse in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. 
• The test may be used as a prognostic marker for survival following pancreatic or gall bladder surgery.
• To know the stage of cancer as well as the metastasis status
• The test can help detect recurrence, metastasis and residual cancer

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer being unspecific, often goes undiagnosed leading to delayed prognosis. Some clinical signs that may require further testing may include:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• Loss of appetite with unintended weight loss.
• Dark coloured urine
• Light coloured stools

The other group of patients who may also require testing include:

• Patients already undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Patients who have completed the treatment to know the disease status.
• Familial history of cancers.
• Presence of high risk factors for pancreatic cancer like chronic alcoholic, obesity, smoker, high uncontrolled diabetic etc.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

None.

CEA test

A gross increase of CEA in a patient with compatible symptoms are suggestive of the presence of cancer. The results of this test when done over an interval help monitor condition of the patient and his response to treatment.

CEA levels fall after successful treatment to normal levels in 1-4 months.

CEA is used as a marker for monitoring colorectal and gastrointestinal carcinoma and is raised in carcinoma of lung, breast, liver, pancreas, prostate, stomach and ovary

Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions like smoking, hepatic disease, trauma, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, COPD, Crohn's disease and hypothyroidism.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

CA 19.9 test

Elevated values occur in cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer; they may also occur in non-cancerous conditions like cirrhosis, cholestasis and pancreatitis.

In benign conditions the result values are usually below 1000 U/mL.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample.

Gastrin Test

Gastrin levels may be increased due to hypersecretion by gastrin-producing neuroendocrine tumors, chiefly gastrinomas.

Insulin test

Decreased insulin levels are seen in diabetes, hypopituitarism and pancreatic diseases such as chronic pancreatitis (including cystic fibrosis) and pancreatic cancer.

Increased insulin levels are seen in certain insulinomas, obesity and insulin resistance.

• CEA test
• Ca 19.9 test
• Gastrin Test
• Insulin Test

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein and its concentration in blood increases in certain tumours i.e., colorectal cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostatic cancers.

It is often used for monitoring colorectal & gastrointestinal cancer patients and their response to treatment.

CA 19-9 is a modified blood group antigen. The levels of CA 19.9 are useful for diagnosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma, bile duct carcinomas, gastric carcinomas, colon carcinomas, oesophageal carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gastrin is a peptide hormone produced by mucosal cells of the stomach and the gastrin levels in the blood are an important marker of the pancreatic function and may be secreted by certain types of gastric tumours.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the Islet cells of the pancreas and is an important indicator of pancreatic function.