"Highly Suspicious"

[cancan1]

My mother recently  had a biposy of her pancreaus.  The results are that there is a "highly suspicious" mass about the size of a woman's thumb nail. Her gall bladder is swollen.  I have been told that it is not certain if it is pancreatic cancer or cancer from somewhere else and gone to the pancreaus, if it is indeed cancer.  She is not tolerating fatty foods well.  This all sounds scary to me.  Could this be something else other than cancer?  She is 85 and has nost alot of weight.    

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
What is the result of biopsy?  That should give the diagnosis of cancer.
What other examinations were performed on her?
It would be best to discuss the matter to her attending physician.  You will have to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment considering her age and functional status.
Good luck.

[cancan1]

The result ofthe biopsy was there are 4 masses in the pancreaus.  3 are fine.  1 is bigger than 2 cm. It is highly suspicious for cancer.  The gale bladder is swollen.   Whenever my mother eats rich food, she gets ill.  She weigh 108 lbs.  Has little desire to eat.  I will be going with her on the 2nd to meet with her oncologist.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I understand what you are going through.
Just want to ask what exactly was written in the pathology report.
I agree with your decision to have her seen by her doctor.
For the meantime, continue supportive care on her.  Maybe you can give her appetite stimulants to build up her nutritional status.

[cancan1]

We have not seen the pathology report.  I will ask to see it this week when I go with my mother to see her oncologist.  My mother was told that she probably has cancer.  She does not remember this.  It will be a difficult time.  The doctor is not sure if the cancer started in the pancreas, or came from somewhere else.  What are the possibilities?  The nurse practioner told me that if she were me, she would be worried.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Her symptoms and its progression can give a hint whether it started in the pancreas or somewhere else (organs near the pancreas).
Please do post your updates.