Hi Californiazebra,

Earlier this year my wife had a CT scan in connection with some kidney issues. It showed "small hypodensities in the pancreas… the largest one in the body of the pancreas near midline measured 9 mm" the radiologist's report went on to say "… It could represent a small side branch duct IPMN. The radiologist said it could be more accurately characterized with an MRI & magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP). The MRI/MRCP found that the small nonspecific pancreatic cystic lesions within the pancreatic body were non-specific but likely reflected small side branch IPMNs which were benign. The radiologist stated such benign lesions "… can rarely undergo malignant transformation and for this reason MRI follow up as recommended in one year to ensure stability." After that report my wife's primary care physician ordered a repeat MRI/MRCP in one year and then every other year there after for a total of five years to make sure there is no growth. Below is a link to a helpful article we found on the NHI National Library of Medicine website.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507779/#:~:text=Intraductal%20papillary%20mucinous%20neoplasms%20(IPMNs,manage%20them%20early%20and%20appropriately.
I wish you the best of luck in managing your cancer.

Tom