Connect
← Return to Newly diagnosed with pancreatic mass — What questions to ask?
Discussion
Newly diagnosed with pancreatic mass — What questions to ask?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 28, 2023 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
@blakebloom When you say mass on your pancreas and liver, if you mean cysts, I have had several cysts on my liver since 2004 and last month found out I had a cyst on my pancreas. I've never had any problems with the liver cysts, but I get an ultrasound every 4 or 5 years now just to check them out. They've never gotten any bigger and actually have gotten smaller at times.
The cyst on my pancreas was found on an ultrasound while checking on the liver cysts. An MRCP MRI was then done, and the gastroenterologist then sent me to have an endoscopic ultrasound, which was done October 17. A biopsy was done at that time on the cyst which thankfully came back negative for malignancy. I have to go back in 6 months and have snother MRCP MRI to check the status of the cyst. I'm hoping for continued good luck.
I know it's hard waiting for the results. I knew my results were in because the hospital notified me, but after a week I couldn't wait any longer for the doctor to call me. So, I went to the hospital where I had it done and got the report myself. His office finally called a couple of days later, 10 days after the results were available. So, you might think of checking with the facility where you had the biopsy to see if the report is ready. Doctors don't get in any hurry.
Hopefully, your biopsy also comes back negative for malignancy. All the best to you.
Replies to "@blakebloom When you say mass on your pancreas and liver, if you mean cysts, I have..."
Connect
@caroline24
Glad your biopsy came back negative. I'm also happy to hear that your liver cysts have not been troublesome to date. I'm having an MRCP MRI on 12/6 for a 7 mm pancreatic cyst. I'm hoping that will be sufficient and they won't even suggest the EUS afterwards. I'm also hoping they can get a better look at the several small liver cysts while there. I don't like reading CT reports that say probably just cysts, but too small to characterize. That's a little vague for me.
I had one liver cyst for many, many years, maybe since birth, who knows, so I wasn't worried about that one. But in the last two years several more liver cysts have popped up which seems concerning to me especially since I already have both advanced breast cancer and neuroendocrine lung cancer. Neuroendocrine cancers can present as cysts. I also have the BRCA2 mutation so have a higher risk for pancreatic cancer. It will be good to have the MRCP for peace of mind. Hoping we can just monitor that, but should things go south, I'll remember to re-visit all the good info in these discussions. Thanks to all who have contributed info here including @stageivsurvivor and @markymarkfl who have provided a lot of valuable info. It's always great to hear survivor stories.
Since I also have trouble with a rare pre-existing neuropathy that's a key concern for me. I was already told by my breast oncologist that chemo for breast cancer would leave me in permanent pain. He did later say he didn't believe it would be effective for me anyway, but if another type of cancer pops up, knowledge is power. Blessings to all.