My dad had a ct scan several months ago and his pancreas was enlarged. When he had another one a couple weeks ago they found a 3cm growth on the pancrease. Does anyone know the chances that it could be cancerous?
2006-09-14 10:39:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
They are going to give him a mri and then hes having a biopsy. dad said not to worry cause he has no symptoms, but not everyone shows symptoms.
2006-09-14 10:48:23 · update #1
Excuse me, but you do not mention other factors that are important, like epigastric pain that radiates to the back, constant, with weight loss, possible symptoms of diabetes, the patient's age, smoker or not, etc.
I assume that somebody ordered the CT scan. Those investigations are not done just because the patient wants. Whoever ordered the scan should check for other symptoms and signs, lab tests to determine the nature of the tumor. It could be an insulinoma or another benign growth, but the information you provide is very scarce
2006-09-14 10:55:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 46 the only symptoms I had was a sore back and a few dropped pounds. I do not smoke drink etc... I had a CT done by my gynocologist after a visit with her and we all were surprised that I had a late stage one tumor. They knew right after my CT and then sent me for an MRI there was no waiting around. Had 60% of my pan. and my spleen removed no whipple, followed by 6 months of chemo. During this time I also had a CT biopsy when another spot showed on my next CT and it was found to be scar tissue from the surgery. Your dad should be asking questions now and anytime he is concerned. If the doctors have not moved quickly hopefully it is just a case of pancreitis - it is your dads right to ask all the questions and demand results. If he is getting the wait and see routine I would go for a second opinion. It would ease everyones minds if they agree it is nothing or it can get the ball rolling if it is something to be concerned about.
2006-09-14 18:39:10 · answer #2 · answered by krncat06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A growth on the pancrease mean a lot of things, you would have to go by what the radiologist said as the possible reasons for that. The confirmative test for pancreatic cancer is biopsy, some clinical presentations are highly suggestive of pancreatic cancer, that your doctor would ahve already said if your father looked like it. wish you all the best, feel free to email me with any questions
2006-09-14 17:50:26 · answer #3 · answered by HK3738 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could just be a benign growth but he needs a CT guided biopsy to be sure. It's a pretty simple procedure done as an outpatient. Does he have any other symptoms? Pancreatic cancer usually progresses rapidly, his doctors shouldn't be dragging their feet on trying to find out exactly what this growth is.
Best of luck to you and your father!
2006-09-14 23:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by seriously shannon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be malignant.Another possibility could be focal pancreatitis.. If the doctors suspect malignancy-a biopsy might be indicated via a CT scan.If he has a high Lipase blood level,it would lean more towards pancreatitis.There may be some other possibilibilities as well,but these would probably be the most likely ones. Dont know much about panc ca treatment. I wish him,you, and the rest of your family my best wishes.
2006-09-14 17:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by KEITH G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well any abnormal growth can be cancerous. What do his MD's want to do? Don't wait take action, the sooner the better if it is cancer. I had 2 aunts both with pancreas cancer and they both waited to long to do anything. Mayo clinic did both of the surgeries that found it after MD's at home couldn't. There is a surgery in existence called the WHIPPLE but it depends on the patient. Go Luck, if your dads MD's don't give you answers go to Mayo Clinic.
2006-09-14 17:53:00 · answer #6 · answered by Lady X 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋