Key Benefits

• Spot bile duct blockage from pancreatic tumors using bilirubin, ALP, and GGT levels.
• Flag obstructive jaundice risks early, prompting urgent imaging or biliary drainage.
• Explain yellowing skin, dark urine, and pale stools by confirming bile flow blockage.
• Clarify if high ALP is liver-related by pairing with GGT.
• Guide treatment timing by tracking bilirubin drop after stenting or drainage.
• Track for stent blockage or recurrence when levels rise after initial improvement.
• Support safer chemotherapy by monitoring liver function and bile flow during treatment.
• Best interpreted with ALT/AST, CA 19-9, imaging, and your symptoms.

What are Pancreatic Cancer biomarkers?

Pancreatic cancer biomarkers are measurable signals in blood that reflect the presence and behavior of a pancreatic tumor. They are molecules made or shed by cancer cells—or produced by nearby tissues reacting to the tumor—and they circulate where they can be sampled. Most are altered proteins or sugars on proteins (glycoproteins), such as CA 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen). Others are tiny fragments of tumor genetic material (circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA) that can carry hallmark gene changes, especially KRAS mutations, or whole cells that escape into the bloodstream (circulating tumor cells), and small signal-filled packets (exosomes). Testing these markers helps clinicians suspect disease earlier than imaging alone, gauge how much tumor is present (tumor burden), and track whether treatment is working or if the cancer is returning. Because they mirror tumor biology and its interaction with the body, pancreatic biomarkers also support prognosis and can guide targeted therapy choices when specific genetic alterations are detected.

Why is blood testing for Pancreatic Cancer important?

Blood tests flag how pancreatic cancer disrupts whole-body flows—especially the shared liver–bile–pancreas system. When a tumor blocks the bile duct, bile can’t drain, pressure rises, and the liver spills pigments and enzymes into blood. Markers like bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma‑glutamyl transferase (GGT) translate that obstruction into measurable signals; tumor-associated markers such as CA 19‑9 can reflect burden but are not specific.Typical lab ranges are roughly: bilirubin 0.2–1.2, ALP 40–120, and GGT about the teens to 40s (men run a bit higher than women). In general, bilirubin is healthiest toward the low–mid part of its range, ALP around the midrange, and GGT toward the low end. When these rise together—especially ALP and GGT—with a climbing bilirubin, it points to cholestasis from duct blockage, often seen with cancers in the pancreatic head. People may notice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching, abdominal pain, and weight loss.When values sit low, they usually reflect unobstructed bile flow. Low bilirubin is common and symptom‑free. Low GGT is typically a good sign of minimal enzyme induction. Unusually low ALP can signal noncancer issues like malnutrition or rare bone enzyme defects; it does not suggest pancreatic cancer. In pregnancy and adolescence, ALP naturally runs higher from placental and bone sources, so interpretation differs.Big picture, these markers integrate signals from the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, gut, and even metabolism and alcohol exposure. Persistently abnormal cholestatic patterns alongside symptoms warrant imaging and further evaluation, because timing strongly influences outcomes.

What insights will I get?

Pancreatic cancer blood testing provides insight into how well your body’s digestive and metabolic systems are functioning. The pancreas plays a central role in processing nutrients, regulating blood sugar, and supporting digestion. When pancreatic cancer develops, it can disrupt these processes and affect other organs, especially the liver and bile ducts. At Superpower, we test three key biomarkers—bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)—to help assess these interconnected systems.Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. ALP and GGT are enzymes found in the liver and bile ducts. In the context of pancreatic cancer, these markers are important because tumors in or near the pancreas can block the flow of bile, leading to changes in these blood levels. Elevated bilirubin may signal impaired bile flow (cholestasis), while increased ALP and GGT often indicate stress or blockage in the liver or bile ducts.Stable and healthy levels of bilirubin, ALP, and GGT suggest that the liver and bile ducts are functioning well, and that there is no significant obstruction or inflammation. When these markers are outside the typical range, it may reflect a disturbance in bile flow or liver function, which can be an early sign of pancreatic or biliary disease.Interpretation of these biomarkers can be influenced by factors such as age, pregnancy, recent illness, certain medications, and individual laboratory methods. These variables are important to consider when understanding your results.