Anyone have diffuse pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (DPA)?

I’m following this topic with great interest as I’ve been diagnosed with this as well. My gastro doctor said it can and does happen as we age (I’m 71). I’ve also got several small cysts on my pancreas that communicate with the duct with no ductal dialation. I’ve had 4 MRIs in the past year and there’s been no change in the cysts or pancreas. My gastro doctor says we will just test every 6 months and keep a watchful eye. I feel like I am a walking time bomb!

I had an MRCP that showed diffuse parenchymal atrophy of pancreas about 1-1/2 years ago. However, due to other causes, I had an ultrasound guided endoscopy (EUS) and that degree of atrophy was not found. In your shoes, I would take that news with a grain of salt. Both the scan and EUS was done at a top teaching university. I've also had things found in EUS that hasn't shown on imaging so it's like a two way street.

I'm 52, and I feel the same way

Just in terms of these cysts, the rate of these turning into cancer are exceeding slim. In fact, experts are now saying that having an IPMN without worrisome features gives no greater risk of cancer than those without IPMN's. Here's a quote with the article following (associated with Mayo clinic)
“The real take-home message is that in the absence of worrisome features people [with an IPMN] should feel comfortable that their risk is no higher than the general population for developing pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Frankel said in an interview." I hope that news will make you feel less of a target. I have 3 IPMN's myself. https://www.mdedge.com/gihepnews/article/266799/gi-oncology/pancreatic-cystic-neoplasms-rarely-turn-cancerous-study-shows

Thank you so much. I'll be asking for a 2nd opinion

@eljay
I'm a female in the same siuation. I'm so worried.
Life isn't for sissies! I will pray for you.💓

Regarding cysts visualized on scans:
I believe that cysts=stay vigilant & repeat scans & 2nd opinion if the cysts increase in size!
As a NET cancer patient now with stage4 Liver metastases, who “watched” the “not to worry “ or “can’t be treated” cysts (as experts referred to my cysts) until they finally got a biopsy of an illusive tumor during an exploratory Endoscopy! “Cysts” that the various Radioligists referred to in my liver are now referenced as “Metastatic Lesions”!
During my “cyst” reports I got second opinions from UC Irvine Gastroenterology Department Head Dr and then consulted with Medical Oncologist at renound Eisenhower Hemo-Oncology in Palm Springs - the advice I was given was consistent to “Watch”, but “No Cancer to be concerned about”!
I realize that my saga does not want to be heard or recognized, but I can’t help believing that if my cysts would have been taken as perhaps a precursor to cancer, my diagnosis would have been treated as cancer before it had time to metastasize. Be Aware. Be Persistent. Be Vigilant!

Hello: I had a routine CT scan for a heart issue. That issue turned out ok. However, the CT scan found I have severe diffuse atrophy of pancreas parenchyma. I am still in total shock. I am 77 years old and have no symptoms of any kind. I do have prediabetes. My a1c is 5.8 with fasting glucose in the mid 90s. In fact, I feel great! I have an appointment with the gastroenterologist next week. I have no idea what to expect. In your experiences, will I have to have more imaging done? Meds? Could this be age related? Like I said, I have never had anything like this before. I checked with Dr. Google, and wish I never.

@dennisbu, I want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect! This is a great platform for people to share information and tips about their medical journeys. None of us are doctors so we just share what we know from our own experience.

I also wanted to give you this link which talks about your situation.
https://biologyinsights.com/pancreatic-parenchymal-abnormalities-causes-signs-diagnosis/
The site had some interesting subjects about the pancreas, one of which is EPI, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency which I’ve had for 3+ years.

@dennisbu - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. All I can say is that I empathize with you. I also have had an incidental finding of something worrisome when I went in to be checked for something else entirely. I found it to be like worry piled on worry.

I moved your post here, as others in this discussion had been discussing diffuse atrophy of pancreas parenchyma:

- Anyone have diffuse pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (DPA)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diffuse-atrophy-of-the-pancreatic-parachyma

Fellow members @dbamos1945 @gcorina2710 @sb4ca @eljay may have some info on what a visit to the gastroenterologist might be like for you and if more imaging or meds might be recommended in light of the severe diffuse atrophy of pancreas parenchyma diagnosis. They also may have some insights from their own experiences interacting with physicians about what may have prompted this. I'm also glad you connected with @becsbuddy.

What happened when you were checking with "Dr. Google" on this diagnosis, dennisbu?