Pancreatic Cancer?

Hi. What were your symptoms? I suspect it all depends on where it would be located in the pancreas.I'm 33 but age isn't everything and used to drink heavily. I've had an abdominal ultrasound.

Hi, I'm currently being tested for damage to my pancreas not caused by alcohol and I don't have my gallbladder.  How long does it take for the consultants to make the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I've had several pancreatitis attacks causing me to be hospitalized for 4/5 days at a time.  I've been told that it's extremely difficult to find cancer of the pancreas? So I am worried

Any advice would be great 

I've had bloodwork and an ultrasound and so far nothing has shown up. Maybe I should ask for a CT scan. My feeling certainly isn't burning, a dull ache like something is enlarged or pressing on my stomach/pancreas.

Hi Linda. It seems to be different from person to person, but yeah its one of those diseases that's basically incurable. It could be chronic pancreatitis but I never had an acute attack.

The pains not terrible, just ongoing dull aches which are not improving. I'll see the GP on Friday and see if there is any other tests they can do.

Acute pancreatitis is severe sudden pain with sickness and feeling like you're going to pass out.  Chronic is more of a longer spelled duller pain. Unfortunately no cure

They have given me MRI and ct scans and X-rays and of course blood tests to show if my amylase/lipase levels are raised. It's best waiting to see your gp who will refer you to the correct consultants.  I hope it's something and nothing 😊

I had acute necrotizing pancreatitis.  I lost 3.5 weeks of my life in ICU.  The pain so unbearable I prayed for death.  After 3 more hospital stays and 5 procedures I only have 50% of my pancreas left. I have a dull constant pain in my left abdomen.  It is my new normal.  

Hi, Well, i'll see if they do anymore tests but I know it can't just be diet related. Hopefully it improves or i'll have to get a CT scan sooner or later.

I’m not sure who said they could remove your pancreas.  You can not make another organ your pancreas.  Without a pancreas you die !!

I have been taken care of at the Pancreatic Institute at MUSC.  I have lost 50% of pancreas to acute necrotizing pancreatitis.  Should I have another severe acute attack I will probably not survive.  You can not live without your pancreas and there is not another organ that can take its place. 

I would love to know what and who told you this.  I’d love to question my Dr about it being possible.  The fear of another attack keeps me in fear everyday if my life.  

 Kay,

I’m really sorry for everything you’ve been through. I didn’t mean any disrespect (if given), I was just trying to relay the information given to me. I was advised by my pancreas specialist from UCSF. I am aware you cannot live without a pancreas but technology nowadays can make all kinds of things happen. I didn’t ask the details because I tested negative for the mutation marker. My doctor said he only did that particular procedure because the mutation marker meant cancer later on down the line. While waiting for my first ERCP, I spoke with one of his other patients, and she was waiting for a synthetic pancreas but I didn’t get any details on that either. I’m not certain if that’s the same as using a pig’s pancreas or what it entails. All I know is that she travels from Southern CA every 6 weeks to seek treatment from him (he’s located in Northern CA). I don’t want to put his name on here in case the post is taken down. There’s not many pancreas specialist at UCSF in CA. In fact there’s not many pancreas specialists who can perform an ERCP in CA period. I have to travel to see this specialist but not across state. I can’t imagine what you must have to deal with but if there were another solution then I would definitely look for it. I hope there is and I wish you all the best sweetie. Have a blessed day/evening. 

Why if you have cystic fibrosis is there an increased risk of pancreas cancer?

My mum had a mild form of cystic fibrosis and her pancreas blood work has slightly raised and she has a burning sensation around her upper abdominal

To be honest I didn’t inquire further … I was asked if cystic fibrosis ran in my family because of my age (I was 37 at that time). This was before the doctors knew I had Pancreas Divseam. They said it wasn’t common for someone my age to have pancreas issues unless I had cystic fibrosis or a family history. The doctor said it was common for an elderly person to have pancreas issues.  If my memory serves me correctly, it had something to do with a certain mutation marker but it’s been over a year and I’m not sure if that’s the correct information. The doctor had me do a genetic blood test because I didn’t know all of my family history and I tested negative. I didn’t inquire further because it was negative and I also got the MRCP which revealed I have a congenital abnormality. I don’t recall the doctors saying cystic fibrosis meant cancer, I think it meant that I had more chances of having pancreas problems but I don’t recall. It wasn’t the pancreas specialist who advised the above, it was a GI specialist who asked me the question but my pancreas specialist looked over everything the GI did, and reran the mutation marker test. I would ask your pancreas specialist about the cystic fibrosis. In my experience the only doctor that seemed to actually know anything was the pancreas specialist. It took my doctors over a year to find out I have two ducts and even after that the GI doctor thought my symptoms were IBS related. The pancreas specialist knew right away my symptoms were because of the Pancreas Divseam. It’s very difficult to find the right doctor but once you do, you’ll know it and you’ll start to feel better. I hope your mum feels better soon and I wish her all the best. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. 

No you weren’t because n disrespectful at all.  I am going to talk to my Dr about living without a pancreas or getting it replaced.  Not at all what I was told.  

Thank you for the discussion and best of luck to you.