Differential Diagnosis
Acute pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic carcinoma
Dangerous Situations
Pancreatic carcinoma is associated with a very short life span following diagnosis.
Commonly Encountered Situations
Acute pancreatitis is the most common of the disorders listed.
Suggested Additional Lab Testing
Acute pancreatitis
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Tests to assess alcohol intake and triglyceride levels are useful.
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Most common causes include alcohol abuse and gallstones.
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Less common causes include hypertriglyceridemia, infections, and trauma to pancreas.
Chronic pancreatitis
Bentiromide test is a noninvasive test to assess pancreatic function in chronic pancreatitis, based on the hydrolysis by chymotrypsin of an orally administered synthetic peptide.
Pancreatic carcinoma
CA 19-9 may be useful to monitor response to therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer, but it is not specific to pancreatic cancer.
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