CT scan result from 2 years ago - pancreatic cancer?

[Ckelley116]

In March 2022 I had a kidney stone that was diagnosed via CT scan of my abdomen. I remember clearly the ER doctor coming in after my CT and telling me it was a stone, and not telling me anything else (this is important). I passed the stone and the follow-up ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder 2.5 months later were normal.

Last week I had a routine mammogram after missing 2023, and this morning I had an e-mail telling me the results were in. I logged into the patient portal to see them and it was all clear. Awesome news. But then I noticed that the reports from my previous scans relating to the kidney stone were there, and I got curious because I wanted to see what parts of my body that abdominal CT scan covered. I thought if I looked at it, if any fears came up down the road I could just refer to that for comfort. Stupid, I know.

So the kidney stone was there, but there were also two other findings that were completely new information to me. First there was some sort of "elongation" of the liver which seems to be an uncommon but benign anatomical variation. Then, there was a "cystic pancreatic uncinate lesion", with a recommendation to further evaluate with an MRI. I was never told about this, nor was I told to get an MRI of any kind.

The MRI thing was sort of scary, but I saw "cyst" and thought "okay, cysts are common and from what I know benign." But my curiosity got the better of me and I googled, and I found that although these "cysts" are commonly incidental findings, they're also seen as a risk for concurrent or future pancreatic cancer, and CT scans aren't really capable of determining if they're benign of malignant. There are a couple of different kinds and my scan didn't indicate, probably because it couldn't tell. So now I'm in an absolute panic that I could have had a potentially-malignant pancreatic tumor growing for the last two years. Even if it wasn't malignant then, it could be turning that way at any time.

I know pancreatic cancer on the whole is one of the rarer forms, and I'm not quite in the demographic (I'm a 43-year-old female; I was 41 at the time of the scan, have never had pancreatitis, quit smoking 20 years ago after having done it for 4 years and drink only very occasionally). I also have no symptoms, at least none that I've noticed? I don't know how long it takes for one of these cysts to turn malignant, if that's what it's going to do, and I sure won't be googling that.

My primary care doctor can't see me until May 16, but I sent her a message through the portal asking her if this is something I should be urgently concerned about given how much time has passed. I don't expect a reply right away but I'm sick to my stomach with anxiety. Pancreatic cancer is one of the few HA holes I've never fallen down and I can't even chalk it up to anxiety since there are no symptoms but a scan showing something potentially scary.

 

[suzzeeb]

I really think if they were concerned they would have told you to follow up for another MRI. I think once you hear from them you will feel better. You can request another MRI and if you don't feel good about the answers they give, you can always go to someone else. It may be something that happens so rarely it's not something they recheck for? It's normal to be concerned but just try not to get too upset until you hear back.

 

[E.B]

No way 2 years would of gone by with p.c and you not known imo as that is very quick moving...and also agree if anything urgent you would of known via the doc.

 

[Ckelley116]

No way 2 years would of gone by with p.c and you not known imo as that is very quick moving...and also agree if anything urgent you would of known via the doc.

Right, I get that. My fear isn't necessarily that it was PC then, as I agree I'd almost certainly know by now that something wasn't right, but that it might be one of those types of cysts that becomes cancer later. Sort of like a ticking time bomb inside me, you know? The radiology report said "incompletely characterized", which I interpret (albeit without any kind of legitimate medical knowledge behind it) as meaning they couldn't really tell what kind of cyst it was from the CT. And that if the ER doctor had told me to get an MRI per the radiologist's suggestion, it wouldn't have had 2 years to continue growing or doing whatever it is it's going to do. That's my main concern. But I definitely appreciate your input; thank you!

 

[E.B]

Right, I get that. My fear isn't necessarily that it was PC then, as I agree I'd almost certainly know by now that something wasn't right, but that it might be one of those types of cysts that becomes cancer later. Sort of like a ticking time bomb inside me, you know? The radiology report said "incompletely characterized", which I interpret (albeit without any kind of legitimate medical knowledge behind it) as meaning they couldn't really tell what kind of cyst it was from the CT. And that if the ER doctor had told me to get an MRI per the radiologist's suggestion, it wouldn't have had 2 years to continue growing or doing whatever it is it's going to do. That's my main concern. But I definitely appreciate your input; thank you!

I would most certainly trust the doctors expertise...I am one who fears going to the doc and I jokingly say it a doctor told me from across the street I was ok I would be content! None the less we all have different forms of anxiety...If the doctor had thought any other testing be warranted he most certainly would of let you know.

 

[Ckelley116]

So, an update - though I didn't expect to hear from her until tomorrow at the earliest, apparently my primary care doctor checks messages even when she's not in the office and has gotten back to me to say she recommends imaging and bloodwork before my appointment with her on May 16. I was a bit calmer until then, but now my guts are all churned up again.

I know this is the smartest thing and it beats having to agonize for the next month (at least) but of course I was kind of hoping she would say "No, it's no big deal!" Obviously she can't say that given the little bit of information in the radiology report but there was that little piece of me that hoped! (Also, I'm already dreading the e-mail I'll get when the results come in and I have to restrain myself from opening them...)

 

[Phillies Phan]

So, an update - though I didn't expect to hear from her until tomorrow at the earliest, apparently my primary care doctor checks messages even when she's not in the office and has gotten back to me to say she recommends imaging and bloodwork before my appointment with her on May 16. I was a bit calmer until then, but now my guts are all churned up again.

I know this is the smartest thing and it beats having to agonize for the next month (at least) but of course I was kind of hoping she would say "No, it's no big deal!" Obviously she can't say that given the little bit of information in the radiology report but there was that little piece of me that hoped! (Also, I'm already dreading the e-mail I'll get when the results come in and I have to restrain myself from opening them...)

You‘re right that given the minimal info stated by the radiologist, she can’t in good conscious not follow through. Something similar happened to me. GP recommended I get an ultrasound. Result came back saying normal but zero comments. No measurement, etc to put “normal” into context. She said in good conscious she had to send me to a practice where she knows they’ll do a thorough exam and write-up. Like you, I had wanted her to see the report and say I’m good, but I understood she is acting in my best interest. I got the 2nd U/S and all was fine.

Worst case will be they’ll want to monitor it and if it ever appears to change they’ll take the cyst out. Keep us posted but everything‘s going to be OK (EGBOK).

 

[Ckelley116]

You‘re right that given the minimal info stated by the radiologist, she can’t in good conscious not follow through. Something similar happened to me. GP recommended I get an ultrasound. Result came back saying normal but zero comments. No measurement, etc to put “normal” into context. She said in good conscious she had to send me to a practice where she knows they’ll do a thorough exam and write-up. Like you, I had wanted her to see the report and say I’m good, but I understood she is acting in my best interest. I got the 2nd U/S and all was fine.

Worst case will be they’ll want to monitor it and if it ever appears to change they’ll take the cyst out. Keep us posted but everything‘s going to be OK (EGBOK).

Thank you, fellow Phillies fan! That helps, and I'm glad everything was fine for you!

 

[Ckelley116]

I just got emailed that the results of my blood work are in. On impulse I deleted both emails to avoid temptation to look - I want my doctor to give them to me, with professional context. But I’m afraid I’ll cave and go look anyway…also I’m not sure when I’ll hear from her, although I’m hoping it’ll be before next Thursday which is her only day in the office seeing patients.

 

[Ckelley116]

Appreciate you guys just letting me go on about this My doctor just messaged to say that everything in my bloodwork - including liver and pancreas - looks normal! So relieved.

She still recommends an ultrasound but that's going to feel a bit less nerve-wracking now!

 

[Ckelley116]

Turns out my doctor wants a CT, not an ultrasound (scary but better for seeing the pancreas, I guess), and I need to wait for my insurance to approve it before I can schedule it. I just want all of this to be over. It hasn't been a week yet but it feels like forever.

 

[Gooze17]

About 10 years ago I got an MRI every 6 months due to a fluid build up around my left kidney and pancreas. That was stressful enough. Then they called with the results for one and said they found something and I needed to come in. No idea what happened but at my appointment they said everything was normal. Made them show me the radiologists notes and asked for another scan (had to wait 6 months) and I ended up being in the clear. But point is hospitals and doctors have cross ups sometimes too. Yours is just doing her due diligence. I don’t think ordering a ct scan over an ultrasound means she’s more concerned. But if you’re going to do it, might as well get the best picture you can

 

[Ckelley116]

That must have been terrifying! I’m so sorry you went through that but glad it all worked out!

 

[Gooze17]

That must have been terrifying! I’m so sorry you went through that but glad it all worked out!

It was not fun lol. But it happens sometimes

 

[Ckelley116]

This past week was something of a struggle. It's been 8 days since my doctor ordered the CT scan but I still haven't received word from my insurance company about the preauthorization, so I haven't been able to schedule it (those in the US may be able to sympathize). I've become acutely aware of every single sensation in my torso, front and back from shoulder to hip. I'm noticing certain mild discomforts when I move a certain way, or random/sporadic mild but stabbing pains, all on the left. Have I always had these and just never paid attention because I wasn't hyperfixated on the area? I have no idea. I'm not 100% sure where I might feel pain due to my pancreas and I've so far resisted temptation to look it up. I'm terrified to go to the bathroom for fear that this time is the time I'll see something to worry about.

I lost four pounds this week. I have been actively trying to lose weight since March 1, and have been using the LoseIt app to track my calories. After the first week, when I dropped 5 lbs of what was probably water weight and inflammation, I've lost an average of 1 lb per week. Some weeks I haven't lost anything. But when I got back on the scale today it was 4 lbs lower than last Saturday. I went back and tracked my daily calorie intake and did notice that since April 16, the day I found out about all this, my calorie intake has been about half/two-thirds what my daily allowance is. I'm still eating but anxiety has affected my appetite, so I've been eating much smaller meals and snacking less. I guess that can explain the higher-than-expected drop. Still, it's just another thing to worry about. What if next week it's 8, or more?

I haven't been able to enjoy anything. I'm a writer and when all this started I was working on a novel with hopes to publish by the end of the year. Now, though, I can't muster the interest in opening up my document and when I do with the intent of forcing myself to try, all I can think is "what's the point?" I was planning to give my bedroom a makeover this summer but again, what's the point? I'm almost at the point where I'm going to delete all social media apps from my phone because every time I open them up I feel like I'm greeted with a post by someone who was just diagnosed with cancer. And I'm 11 seasons into watching Grey's Anatomy after avoiding it for fear of triggers. I was really enjoying it, but now I don't want to continue.

I realize this probably all sounds very melodramatic but I think the waiting is really starting to get to me. I don't really have anyone to talk to about it; my husband has absolutely no concept of even healthy levels of worry, and I think it frustrates him when I express it. My mom and sister would be next on my list, but I don't want to worry them until I know for sure there's something real to worry about so they have no idea about any of this. So you guys get to hear all about it. Thank you and I'm also sorry about that.

 

[E.B]

I understand what the deep down anxiety feels like, but if you had something sinister your blood work would most definitely show something. Imo

 

[Phillies Phan]

I’ll just say that the area of pain that is typical with pancreas issues is NOT the areas where you’re experiencing it. Additionally, when PC is to blame, the pain is not sneaky, it’s very obvious, like take me to the ER obvious.

 

[sTeaLth]

I hope to help you feel better and not freak or anything. My cousin passed about a year ago from PC and it wasn’t slow or odd. He was in horrible pain that was diagnosed quickly. It wasn’t a wondering process at all.