Objective To evaluate the value of clinical data and various methods of diagnostic imaging in the patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods Two hundreds and fifty-six patients with pancreatic cancer admitted into Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 1996 and 2004 were included. The clinical symptom and the accuracy of various imaging methods (B-US, CT, ERCP, EUS, DSA and MRI) in assessing pancreatic carcinoma were analyzed. Results Weight lost was the most common symptom in 79% of patients with pancreatic carcinoma. Jaundice was mostly seen in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma. Upper abdominal pain was in 86% of patients with carcinoma in pancreatic body and tail. The diagnostic accuracies of B-US, CT, ERCP, EUS, DSA and MRI were 83% , 89% , 90% , 91% , 82% and 79% respectively. Conclusion B-US and CT scanning should be undergone in patients with abdominal pain, jaundice and weight lost who were suspected to have pancreatic carcinoma. Further imaging techniques such as EUS, ERCP and MRI should be advised in patients highly suspected to have pancreatic carcinoma, in spite of the results of B-US and CT were negative.