How Worried Should I Be? Might have pancreatic cancer

Last week, my GP found a cyst - 3.5 cm cyst/lesion on a CT and subsequent MRI that they conducted for either a hernia or diverticulitis I go through my EUS @ Mayo on Thursday. They see it as a 3.5cm cyst / lesion so far,… on the main body of the pancreas- but bile ducts were clear. Report also stated most of the other pictures were ‘unremarkable’ (whatever that means). My CA-19 test was ‘16’.

Two questions: 1). Although I’ll be sedated, will I feel anything from the EUS and Needle aspiration? 2). Should I be worried what else could be discovered?

Thanks. (I’m a 66 male, non smoker for life, 5’9”, 260 lbs, but lbs in 3 months, without trying.

I felt no pain during EUS and FNA. I had a bit of a scratchy throat upon waking but that was gone by the next morning.

I had back-to-back EUS and ERCP’s (successive days). Had no issues other than the flexible cable must have been rubbing the center of my upper lip either going in or being pulled out and it created a small blister. I made the ERCP team aware for the procedure the next day and they were more attentive.

Good news…the lesion on the tail of my pancreas was benign…I will be closely monitored by my fabulous Gastroenterologist, Dr. Uzma Abbasi. I can’t believe how lucky I got and am more than very thankful.

My thoughts and prayers to you all and TY for your support over the past few weeks ❤️

UPDATE: I had my EUS on Wednesday, June 22. They determined that they could not do the fluid biopsy as they considered it a high risk of pancreatitis being it near some veins in the pancreas. Yet due to my CA Count being 16, and from other characteristics (I don’t know those details), they considered it benign. However being the size is 3.5cm, they desire I come back for an MRI in 3-6 months to monitor if growing or shrinking,… At this time Whipple surgery to remove the cyst was also ruled out due to risk…

My questions are: 1]. Do Cysts ever shrink?…how could it go away by itself? 2]. Should I be concerned that any future surgery (whether it be cancerous or larger than current size) something more serious than if they did the surgery to remove it now?

I’m confused - as I thought in the saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”,…so why not take it out now and prevent me worrying every 6 months,.,, Thanks.

Hi @mikewdby, those are really good questions. Pseudocysts (benign pancreatic cysts) can resolve on their own without treatment, over time. Sometimes surgery can be a higher risk than monitoring and waiting for it to resolve on its own.

Now if only I could wave a magic wand to banish the worry. That's the tough part. Did you know that worry even has a name - scanxiety? It's hard not to worry as the date for monitoring approaches. Don't let it get in the way of living life (easy to say and not meant flippantly).