A related discussion,
mass in pancreas was started.
If insurance will pay it, go for it! pPace of mind is soo worth it! Good luck and God bless you!
Gallbladderbaby
I've had this 'abdominal pain that radiates to the back' for 2 years. Had blood test, cat scan, upper GI but doctors can't find anything. One doctor recently gave me Nexium. I don't know if it's the medicine, I havn't had problem (only minor abdominal bloating) for 6 months. GI doctor recommend MRI. But since I don't have pain, I declined. Should I still get MRI done?
Can't say whether it is benign or malignant without going in and sending the lesion to pathology. Other things it could be other than cancer would be a pancreatic pseudocyst or a retention cyst, each which would be less threateninc than a tumor. However, the MRI should have been able to provide more clarity.
Regarding prognosis, it would depend on what is found. If the mass is indeed cancer, the 5-year survival rate following surgery is 25-30 percent for cancers that did not spread to the lymph nodes, and 10 percent for cancers that did spread to the nodes.
Again, survival rates would have to depend on the size of the mass, what it is, and how far it has spread.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Dear Hope,
Sorry for your Dad's situation. Has your Dad lost any weight yet? Weight loss and the discomfort are classic symptoms of a pancreatic mass. You are doing exactly the right thing by doing research. I like this site and it gives good information. However, lots of things can run through your mind at a time like this especially when anticipating a biopsy. Perhaps the mass is benign. However, if it is not, please know that there are different types of malignant growths. For example, iselt cell carcinoma is very slow growing. Many patients live with those for a long time. Because the doctor said it may have been there a long time, maybe it is this type. The faster growing and more vicious type is adenocarcinoma. I am providing a link to you for the Johns Hopkins PC Discussion Board:
http://162.129.103.56/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(199,8)/43905366 which is a very strong support group with many people (patients and caregivers) to help you and your Dad through this process. What you may read on the Internet is scary, but take it one day at a time. If the growth has not spread, then your Dad may be having a surgery called the Whipple procedure. It is a long and difficult surgery and provides the greatest chance for a cure. If the growth has spread, there are chemotherapy combinations and radiation that may shrink a growth to possibly qualify for the Whipple procedure. There are some amazing stories of survivors on the Johns Hopkin's PC Discussion Board. I'm wishing you and your Dad the BEST of luck. Do check out the board. there is sooo much information and friends there.
Good luck and God bless you!
Gallbladderbaby