Scared I may have pancreatic cancer

Posted by stacyo77 @stacyo77, May 30 7:58am

I wanted to see if anyone has any insight to my MRI report Had a lesion of 1.7 seen on a scan back in 2013/14 and never followed up until because i was miss informed following splenic artery aneurysm repair. I will post more to back story but am looking for insight on MRI results I just got back.
EXAM: 3T MRI ABDOMEN AND MRCP WITHOUT AND WITH CONTRAST

HISTORY: - Disease of pancreas, unspecified
- Epigastric pain
- Nausea with vomiting, unspecified

TECHNIQUE: T1W, T2W and/or fat suppression axial, sagittal, and/or coronal sections before and after IV contrast were obtained. 18 ml of Clariscan was injected. An MRCP with multiple radial images was performed. No apparent complications were reported to the radiologist. In addition, dynamic multiphase contrast enhancement of the abdomen was performed. 3-D MIP imaging was also obtained.

COMPARISON: No comparison studies available.

FINDINGS:

Gallbladder & biliary: Gallbladder sludge. No wall thickening or pericholecystic fluid. The common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts appear unremarkable.

Liver: The liver is enlarged measuring 19.6 cm in length. The liver demonstrates signal drop on out of phase imaging consistent with steatosis. No suspicious solid masses are seen.

Spleen: The spleen is normal in size and appearance.

Pancreas: The pancreas demonstrates normal intrinsic T1 signal, however there is a subtle contour irregularity and delayed enhancement within the anterior pancreatic tail as well as within the pancreatic tail at the splenic hilum best appreciated on postcontrast series 17, images 41 and 38. There is subtle associated decreased T2 signal within these regions with associated narrowing of the distal main pancreatic duct. No peripancreatic fluid or stranding.

Adrenal glands: The adrenal glands are normal in appearance.

Kidneys & ureters: The kidneys are symmetrical in size and appearance. No hydroureteronephrosis. No suspicious solid mass.

Stomach & bowel: The stomach appears unremarkable. No dilated loops of bowel.

Peritoneum, retroperitoneum, & mesentery: There are scattered small normal-sized mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. No free fluid.

Vascular: Aorta is normal in caliber.

Musculoskeletal: Normal bone marrow signal intensity.

IMPRESSION:

1. Findings concerning for subtle splenic tail mass. Correlate with tumor markers. Recommend EUS/FNA.
2. Hepatomegaly with hepatic steatosis. Gallbladder sludge.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the care of this patient.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

mcharlesfrancis | @mcharlesfrancis | May 30 8:36am

Contact the Seena Magowitz Foundation and get a free second opinion from a pancreas cancer specialist

demooretucson | @demooretucson | May 30 1:32pm

If possible, a great place to start is a nearby "comprehensive cancer center."

dbamos1945 | @dbamos1945 | May 30 7:07pm

Stacyo77: This is a very difficult time for you; however, many of us have questionable test results and turn to research for more education on the many different diseases that could be our diagnosis (ie: Neuroendocrine tumors are usually very slow growing and there are many treatments available. Pancreas is a common site… it is not Pancreatic Cancer!)
Your doc might need more tests to help the Patholigist to make a diagnosis. It is helpful to ask that the Patholigist gets an outside evaluation too, prior to making his final diagnosis. A second opinion by a cancer specific medical oncologist (pancreatic) is also a wise move at an academic cancer medical institution asking for their consultation will be most useful in deciding treatment plan.
I know this seems like a lot today; however, you will be your best advocate when speaking with docs if you are familiar with the lingo pertaining to a disease. Waiting for diagnosis is a challenge too; in the meantime while researching information, hopefully will give you a positive outlook -knowing you are doing all you can.
This forum can offer you comfort, information from others in your boat, and will help you every step. Ya see, we have all begun this dreaded road with a questionable test result. We can relate to you like no other’s will.
Take best care of yourself with diet, exercise and kind thoughts. We are here to help you. Hug, Bette

carlos322 | @carlos322 | May 31 7:00am

You need to discuss this with ordering physician ASAP re continued workup.

carlos322 | @carlos322 | May 31 9:32am

Do not do the research on your own. Consult a pancreatic cancer specialist. If it is cancer, early diagnosis and treatment are the best weapon!

jak365 | @jak365 | May 31 10:25am

Def make sure you’re at an institution/hospital that sees a lot of these things- where are you? Btw not saying you have cancer just need ticket to a place where they’re familiar with it

stacyo77 | @stacyo77 | May 31 2:35pm

In reply to @mcharlesfrancis "Contact the Seena Magowitz Foundation and get a free second opinion from a pancreas cancer specialist" + (show)

@mcharlesfrancis will do
! Thank you for sending this resource.

stacyo77 | @stacyo77 | May 31 2:37pm

In reply to @demooretucson "If possible, a great place to start is a nearby "comprehensive cancer center."" + (show)

@demooretucson looking to see what is close to me. I have appt with GI doctor to go over the scan on Friday. Thank you for your help.

conchgirl | @conchgirl | Jun 1 7:50am

If the mri/cat scan whatever showed any possibility of pancreatic cancer you would see “POSSIBLE PANCREATIC MASS FOLLOW UP “ or something to that effect-they would not be vague as in your report. Just last December I took my friend into an urgent care- he thought at first it was appendix and did an mri or cat can’t remember and he was adiment she call the doctors he listed and said “you might have pancreatic cancer”. When she didn’t call the doctors the next day he called her at home and convinced her to follow up. When i had lesions on my spine my mri report stated where it would be impossible to miss ****“lesions on spine possible MULTIPLE MELANOMA FOLLOW UP NECESSARY” ****

Radiology doesn’t fool around-IT’S THEIR JOB TO ALERT THE DOCTORS SO THEY DON’T MISS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING ISSUES.

If they thought it was possible you had it they would have pulled you in the office right then & there and walked you down to the next test THAT VERY DAY.

But from what you wrote you need to see a nutritionist for a better diet.

And yes she has PC stage 4 but doing fantastic on chemo. The mutation she has is slow growing and chemo works well and the tumors have already shrank. She can expect at least 5 more years and new treatments coming out every month. She caught it early.

sheridanb | @sheridanb | Jun 2 9:40am

If you haven't already had one, get a CA19-9 blood test that can show evidence of pancreatic cancer. My husband was misdiagnosed with lung cancer. About 6 months later (with a new oncologist) the blood test was ordered and that was very definitive that it was pancreatic cancer so of course the chemo for lung cancer had not been helping him. Just an easy blood test. Please get one. Normal numbers I think are below 35. My husband's were something like 39000.