Pancreatitis vs pancreatic cancer symptoms
Common Questions and Answers about Pancreatitis vs pancreatic cancer symptoms
pancreatitis
Hi. Pancreatic cancer usually doesn't present with any symptoms at all until the tumor has grown quite large. That's why it is usually detected at a late stage (since there are no symptoms initially). The fact that you are already experiencing various symptoms, without any evidence of a pancreatic mass makes the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer unlikely. The prevalence of pancreatic cancer at your age group is also quite low, so I really doubt that you have this condition.
//www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-pancreatic-cancer
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are found at this link. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-symptoms#1 When they speak of light stools they are speaking in terms of jaundice which usually has other symptoms such as yellow skin or eyes. Do you have that as well? If not, I'd not necessarily associate light stools with pancreatic cancer. GERD is likely to cause yellow stools.
If all your labs (liver and pancreatic enzymes) are nornal, it would be very unusual for this to be pancreatitis. Typically the only time pancreatitis shows up and the enzymes levels show 'normal' levels is when someone progresses from acute to chronic pancreatitis. So if this hasn't been a condition that's happened several times in a couple of years, the chances of it being pancreatitis is low.
All of the PPIs do not act the same nor do they have the same side-effects.
The endoscopy found mild gastritis. All other test are normal.The pancreatic specialist did not mention pancreatitis at the time and only prescribed nexium and sulcrafate for the gastritis. I am 67, and never had a previous bout with pancreatitis. Moderate beer drinker. How should I be treated?
In pancreatitis both lipase and amylase are usually elevated. Other tests (CT, MRI) are needed to confirm pancreatitis.
But elevated lipase doesn't mean you have pancreatitis. Or, lipase level doesn't necessary correlate with severity of inflammation.
ERCP was probably suggested because a small stone, either from gallbladder or pancreas can block pancrteatic duct - what results in pancreatitis. There's another, noninvasive investigation - MRCP, which could be done instead of ERCP.
Ca 19-9 can also be elevated in conditions like gallstones, cirrhosis, pancreatitis and cholecystitis.Other tests used for diagnosing pancreatic cancer are CT scan/MRI, ERCP and percutaneous needle biopsy. Any test result has to be correlated clinically. If you are still in doubt get your doubts clarified after consulting your doctor. Hope it helps.
Best luck and regards!
There will poor absorption of the nutrients resulting in weightloss and nutritional problems. It may cause diabetes mellitus. It is also a risk factor for pancreatic cancer though the risk is not 100%.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.
What are the odds of chronic pancreatitis turning into pancreatic cancer if now a lesion has been detected on the pancreas?
CA 19-9 can be elevated with pancreatic cancer but can also be elevated with pancreatitis or hepatobiliary disorders. It sounds like your husband has at least pancreatitis based on CT, but it is unusual that the other blood work was normal. Usually pancreatitis presents with elevated amylase and/or lipase. Significant weight loss is concerning for cancer. Jaundice, dark urine, and light stools would also be concerning if present.
It can also be elevated with gallstones, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis. Do you already have a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer?
Increased lipase and LDH are increased either in pancreatitis, or when pancreatic cancer is present with pancreatitis. But cancer may go without pancreatitis, so enzyme levels are not necessary high.
3. Foamy urine may be from bilirubin in urine (which is likely, if urine is darker as usualy) or from excessive proteins in urine, and this may be due to kidney disease.
Beside thinking on pancreatic cancer, don't forget to biliary tract disease.
However, my Amylase continues to be elevated and I am concerned, as is my doctor, about chronic pancreatitis leading to pancreatic cancer. I do not drink Alcohol and have not for 20 years. Can you offer any ideas for cause of the pancreatic enzyme elevation and treatments?
no evidence of masses or pancreatitis, the absence of the pancreatic body and tail, no pancreatic ductal dilation, difficulty in visualizing the pancreatic duct, and hypodense areas in both lobes of the liver. A previous ERCP showed pancreas divisum. Liver biopsies showed missing small bile ducts, but the ERCP showed normal major bile ducts. Could these CT results be the source of my daughter's chronic pain? Would an ERCP procedure to correct the pancreas divisum provide relief?
I have had the exact same thing as you!!! except my gallbladder was taken out 3yrs ago. Still have elevated amylase my last one was 230 with the upper limits of 180 here at my lab. It does scare the who hah outta me & searching the internet is the worst thing to do :) I too had a CT Scan that showed everything normal. My GI doc was thinking SOD. The only that is ever out of whack is the amylase my liver tests have been completely normal.
I recently had an ultrasound that said I had a borderline enlarged pancreatic duct (4.2 mm). I do not have pancreatitis. I am wondering about causes, if there are any besides cancer or pancreatitis. That is all I have found on this subject. Am scared.
The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy pancreas tissue, causing inflammation and hardening. Symptoms closely mimic pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), but the disease process is different. It can be a multisystem disorder in which the disease can affect other parts of the body. So the possibility of AIP needs to be checked out.
Have you had any symptoms like nausea, or pain? One of the first signs of cancer is weight loss because your body can't digest calories correctly. I lost 45 pounds during my illness. The fact that you haven't is a good sign that it is just a cyst. Reaccuring pancreatitis can increase your chance of cancer. Did your doctor do a CA-19-9 test?
Chronic pancreatitis is still treated by treating the symptoms. Well, unless there is an underlying problem like a pseudo cyst or cancer that would require surgery. If you and your dad are not convinced that he's getting the best opinion possible, you'll need to get a second opinion. Actually, second opinions are a good idea any time you're dealing with a major medical issue.
Doctors had no answer for why he then had all the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. His inflammation levels were now normal even though he continued having pain.
End of last year he was admitted to hospital again. His pain was very bad, but the 'normal' version of severe pain - not as extreme as when he first was admitted. However, his doctor felt this episode of severe pain had persisted for too long.
Many tests were run in hospital.
They also tested my CA 19 (which had been tested prior, once a yr before and the 2nd time one month prior in routine labs) as my Dad passed away of Pancreatic Cancer the same year at age 73. My CA went from 43 the first time I was tested a yr prior to the abdominal pain, 37 the month prior to the abdominal pain to 66 when it turned out my lipase was elevaed. My lipase went down but remained slightly elevated for at least 2 wks (it has not been checked since), my CA 19 had gone down 10 points.
Angie had cholangiocarcinoma and she had had some vomiting too and my former dvm kept blowing me off about other urinary symptoms so it was discovered later and after Convenia caused severe anemia. I wonder how we can tell if it is cancer starting from possible pancreatitis? I feel she may have had that and it lead to her cancer. I want to prevent it in Wiz if possible.
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