diagnosis

taryntige · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

My husband is having severe abdominal and back pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, has lost 50 lbs. since New Years. Has has Several ultrasounds, CT scans and bloodwork done. Scheduled for MRI in 6 weeks(emergency) THE scan shows something with the pancreas-- either pancreatitis or a tumour. He is getting progressively worse. Does it always take so long for diagnosis? Laurie

Midnight_Butterfly · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:01 am Post subject: Re: diagnosis

Sometimes blood tests don't reveal problems like we'd hope they would. Sometimes they do. If a radiologist is looking for an abnormality or mass in or around the organs, it probably has to be of a significant size, which I'm sure they have guidelines about.

An MRI takes a picture of our internals slice by slice and from what I understand tends to be much more precise, so I am imagining that if a CT scan didn't show a clear enough picture, perhaps they want the MRI to be sure before they perform a biopsy. If there have been several CTs and ultrasounds, perhaps they have been monitoring size/mass changes and perhaps there haven't been any noticeable ones. Maybe that's why they 'appear' to be stuffing around.

Stomachs/digestive systems are often tricky as many symptoms mimick many illnesses. I wish you well. If you're concerned they're stuffing around, call them. I am guessing that the 6 week wait for the MRI is due to a public health system waiting list? If it gets too bad, might I suggest just taking him into A&E. They might be able to speed things up and do it then and there. You'd be present to answer questions to assist the doctors in what tests NOT to conduct.

taryntige · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

Sorry I didn't give enough information before. The CT scan showed something with his pancreas, either pancreatitis or a tumor. That's why the MRI.Ontario's free health care involves a long wait for any treatment. We are on a cancellation list. His pain is increasing daily. Laurie

Midnight_Butterfly · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: diagnosis

HI Laurie,

Ok so you basically have an idea it's one or the other. I hope someone has a cancellation soon so your husband gets the help he needs.

SPENCER1958 · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

My mother was diagnosed as a Diabetic a year before they had diagnosed her with pancreatic cancer. Mom lost over 40 lbs. and they were treating her as if she was an unctonrolled diabetic sending her to nutrition classes which she quit after the 2nd session of 4. Finally they did blood work CA19-9, CEA and those number were very high. Next was to go for an MRI and biopsy (which proved that she had pancreatic cancer). Diagnosed September, 07 and passed away Feb 12, 08. Pancreatic cancer if very hard to detect because so many symptoms mimic other problems. I feel for anyone who is watching a love one go through this as it is so painfull. God Bless you all. Cool

Midnight_Butterfly · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: diagnosis

Hi Spencer,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It's amazing how you can be so empathetic when this is still a raw time for you. You have my full respect.

taryntige · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

Hello: My husband had a biopsy --showed suspicios cells and tumour markers were only slightly elevated at 172. Dr.s reply was the cancer clinic will not even look at you until your markers are in the 1000's.What happened to early detecton and early treatment. Finally he is on a duragesic patch for pain but is having breakthrough pain on the third day. Also was put on enzymes to assist digestion. Weight loss is holding at 75 lbs. Any comments? taryntige

brainman · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:39 am Post subject: Re: diagnosis

taryntige, you bet I have a comment!! So often pancreatic cancers are found way too late when they are way beyond any significant hope. If you are not at a major medical center like MD Anderson, Vanderbilt, John Hopkins, or any of the others listed at http://tinyurl.com/68mx33 , I would get to one for a second opinion before risking doing nothing until it is too late. But this is just my opinion (which I feel strongly about).

By the way, the link is to the US News and World Report: Ranking of Cancer Centers publish July 21, 2008 (today!!!!).
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