Hello! I had my Whipple in 2024 for a cancerous cyst on the head of my pancreas (Stage 1A). Through 2024 post-Whipple, I was monitored every three months with contrast CT and blood biopsies (Signatera). Through 2025, I have been monitored with contrast CT scans and blood biopsies (Signatera) as well.
I don't believe doctors are able to visually detect cancerous cells that may be circulating in ones blood stream They analyze the resected tissues till they get negative margins, but in order to detect cell that may or may not be circulating in the blood stream very sensitive diagnostic tests are required.