33 is too young to have PC... isn't it?

ohn

Hi, Im really hoping that all this internet research I'm doing to explain why my doctors are doing CT's, MRCP and an EUS and checking my levels of CA19.9 is all going to be a waste of time...

I'm 33 and for all my research I can't find anyone less than 40 who'se be diagnosed. I just can't have Pancreatic cancer...can I?

My story is this...
Late last year I had commenced 10 days into a 6 month set of prescribed erythromicin for an onset of adult acne. Massive lower abdomen pain commenced and jaundice caused me to be rushed to our local emergency dept. They put me straight on morphine drip and did blood tests, an ultrasound and CT scan. My liver enzymes ALT and AST levels shot well over 500. I stopped the erythromicin and everything seemed to normalise over the next month. I did lots of research on erythromicin and found that in rare cases it can cause massive liver failure. The doctors diagnosed that I had an ovarian cyst rupture however and didnt look much into the possibility of an erythromicin allergy.
However, the CT scan they did showed I had an enlarged pancreatic head and they've been doing followups since. I had another CT a couple of weeks ago, it's still enlarged but I don't think they could find any tumours. I have an MRCP scheduled this week and a EUS (with biopsy I think) next week with more blood tests. My last blood tests (3 wks ago) showed that everything was normal except CA19.9 was above normal levels at 56.
I've been tested for hepatitis and it came back negative. I've always been slim, non-smoker and only occasional drinker (I am usually the designated driver). I have never eaten alot and am fatigued very easily but being a full time worker and a mum of two (aged 3 and 10) I always thought that this was normal. I have a wonderful husband who is absolutely FREAKED out and I've only told him part of what I've found on the net about PC.
I've read alot about how generations of families are dying of this, but I'm adopted and know nothing of my biological parents. I'm struggling to come to terms that I could have this. I've only told my parents and husband so far so at the moment I don't have anyone to talk to.
Is there any other explanation for an enlarged pancreas head and elevated CA19.9 levels?

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

ohn,
Unfortunately, cancer can occur at any age. Although, it would be unusual to have pancreatic cancer at 33, I'm sure there are cases that exist. Your doctors have a plan to thoroughly evaluate this lesion and it would probably be best to follow through. There are other types of tumors that may arise near this area, so continuing with the work-up will provide answers. Best Wishes,
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

ohn · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:33 am Post subject: Follow up from tests so far

Well....the outcome of todays big visit to the hospital was better than expected, but still not the diagnosis I was hoping for.

I had an Endoscopic Ultrasound this morning. Thank goodness the only reminder I have of it is a bit of a sore throat.

They gave me the results straight after, which was good and the doctors didn't take a biopsy of my pancreas during the procedure. This means that they couldn't locate any visible tumours in my pancreas. They also had the results of last weeks MRCP. The head of my pancreas is still enlarged and I still have slightly elevated CA19.9 levels ( raised levels of this antigen give an indication that there is a tumour ) though the level is less than last fortnight. My levels were 58, now 49. I understand normal is 37 and levels generally range into the thousands when something serious is going on.

So, at the end of the day I'm still playing a waiting game with this. I have to return in 6months time for another round of blood tests, possibly do another round of MRI's, CT scan's and maybe another Endoscopic Ultrasound. The gastroenterologist I spoke with was incredibly helpful and asked me a ton of questions. He explained the reasons behind just waiting and watching "You don't want to pick a fight with the pancreas, because it almost always wins". Having Pancreatic cancer at such an early age is very rare but without my stint in hospital last year this could have gone unnoticed for many years and I may not have presented with any symptoms until my early 40's or even 50's. I just have to be happy that now they know about it, they'll keep a close watch on any changes.

With this very advanced warning I'm hoping to be one of the lucky 5%!

I'll keep you posted on any progress or lack of it. This may be a long road of continual tests and monitoring with the possibility of getting to the surgery/chemo stage when/if something does present itself.

It's a great support having this forum and being able to read about the impact of this awful silent disease. My prayers go out to you all, most particularly the carers and family. My husband has struggled immensely over the last weeks and I know he will continue to struggle with the unknown. I am just glad to be here another day and healthy (on the outside at least while my insides wage a battle against whatever is causing my pancreas to be distressed) for the time being.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

I think having the right attitude does a lot and it sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck.
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 67

Good luck to you as you proceed down the testing road. It sounds as if you are doing all the right things and it also seems your doctors are working with you for a positive outcome.

Just a caution: Keep taking charge of yourself. Demand to know what's going on. Follow up on tests and scans if you suspect there is a problem. Annoy your doctors. Keep on top of it. Don't just go along.

Doctors are helpful and can diagnose once test results show them what's what. But a positive attitude will not give you a positive outcome of this one. Pancreatic cancer is a bear -- it is strong, silent and fierce until it isn't. Your age alone will not change things if a diagnosis is made. Read this forum and you will see that the disease can strike anyone, any age.

The best hope we all have is that a diagnosis be made early. Surgery is the only option for survival if there are cancerous tumors. My brother died in December after 8 weeks of illness. He had been fine until the diagnosis. No reason to suspect cancer, certainly not Stage 4 PC. He was not a candidate for surgery; chemo just antagonized him.

His children and I have had scans since then because that's the only way to detect a tumor. Still, we wonder.

I wish you all the best as I am no longer,

Big Sister

roses4evver · Regular Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 30

You are doing great! I want to say I'm so glad you received good news, I know it must have been hard on your family just jumping through all these hoops to get answers. You are on the right track and your learning as you've had to go along & it's never easy.
My prayers are with you and your family as you continue to get the green light to SMILE!
_________________
"Cherish every moment you share with your love, drink life every second you can, love like there will be no tomorrow!"

jenjoey · New User Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Louisiana

The love of my life was diagnosed with PC last year when he was 27.

roses4evver · Regular Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 30

Jen,

I was just wondering if your special person was still fighting this horrible disease. I hope he's going strong & my prayers are with you. I just lost my husband 12/31/06 of PC & it's still so raw yet.

my best wishes
_________________
"Cherish every moment you share with your love, drink life every second you can, love like there will be no tomorrow!"

jenjoey · New User Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Louisiana

R4E,
Yes, he is doing well. I am so very new to all of this. Joey and I reconnected in December. I knew nothing about anything really. And I still only know what my mom (the LPN) tells me. He only talks about it occasionally and usually not directly to me ........ and I still have to leave the room (because I really can't handel it yet). But I am trying. Hopefully I can begin to deal with it better. Hopefully this forum will help. With Joey (he's SO STRONG) he doesn't let on to anyone how he's really feeling) but when he doesn't feel well he just goies to sleep (I am thankful for that because not everone can sleep when they don't feel well). We fight with his sugar daily of course....... He doesn't really ever get high's he is the oppisite as far as that's concerned. He stays low (his low is between 70-100) his feel good sugar is around 130. But he can eat (a mcflurry with hot fudge and oreo's @ 110 and 15 min later he is 115. HE goes really high really quick and back down EVEN QUICKER. Sometimes the fall makes him ill. OMG, I am so sorry I keep going on and on.
Jen

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