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Home > Pancreas Education > Detection and Diagnosis > History and Physical

History and Physical


Your doctor will take a thorough medical history in order to check for any pancreatic cancer risk factors. Questions may focus on your symptoms, including the location, severity, and duration of pain, any unintentional weight loss, and your energy levels. Your doctor may also ask about your parents, siblings, and children to discern if there are any hereditary conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

The physical examination will focus on your abdomen. Your doctor will check for masses or fluid buildup in the areas near your pancreas, stomach, liver, and gallbladder. Your doctor will also check your skin and your eyes for signs of jaundice. Cancer can also spread to lymph nodes above the collarbone and other locations in the body. Your doctor may examine these areas carefully for swelling or other signs of metastasis. Urine and stool tests may also be ordered.

A history and physical examination alone are not enough to make a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but the information gathered might help your doctor better understand your individual situation.

 
 
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