Question 1

whats better for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.... ct scan or mri? i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan with contrast. still worried.

Accepted Answer

Why worry: In answer to your question, i don't believe an MRI has any advantage over ct for pancreas lesions.  You've had a normal u/s and a normal ct, so why are you concerned about a process that is rarely seen in folks your age? If a lesion is seen on ct, the best test for evaluation is an endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy.  Don't waste your life worried about what could develop.. Good luck.

Question 2

whats better for diagnosing pancreatic cancer? ct scan or mri? 34yr male. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan with contrast. still worried.

Accepted Answer

CT, ERCP, MRCP: Thin-slice (3 mm) ct abdomen yields fine detail of pancreatic structures...  Blood tests including tumor markers: ca-19-9, ca-15-3, and CEA can alert the clinician for ca.  Also, ERCP w/ ductal brushings (though its endoscopy) can search for malignancy.  Finally, mrcp may add to the clinical picture, but 64-bit ct is slowly encroaching on the former's superiority.

Question 3

possible to have pancreatic cancer not show on ct mri & eus? symptoms for a year but scans & ca19-9 negative. only 6mm simple cysts seen (no biopsy).

Accepted Answer

Possible: Possible but seems very unlikely at this point.  A biopsy may give you an answer and peace of mind.

Question 4

what would a pet scan show that a ct scan may not for a person with pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

PET in cancer: PET scans are used to detect areas of abnormally increased metabolism, while CT scans only detect areas of differing density or lucency to radiation. So an abnormality like an area of scarred old tumor might look abnormal on CT scan but not have increased metabolism indicating active cancer on PET scan. False positives still occur with both, but they tend to commplement each other.

Question 5

if pancreatic cancer in body or tail is causing symptoms, would it show up on a iv contrast ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Yes it would: CT scan of the abdomen is a reliable to test to check for Cancer of the Pancreas. So you do not have to think too much about this as a source of your symptoms. Go see a Gastroenterologist if symptoms persist for more than a week or two.

Question 6

if pancreatic cancer was the cause of mildly elevated lipase, would the tumor likely be big enough to be seen on a ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: This enzyme, produced by the pancreas to break down triglycerides can result from any physiologic changes in the pancreas ranging from mild to sever pancreatitis to carcinoma of the pancreas.  Mild inflammation is not seen on CT scan

Question 7

how likely is it that a ct scan would show pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

CT scan is a good te: CT scan can pick up any lump or tumor of more than 2 cm when located in the abdomen.. In that regard it will pick up pancreatic Cancer if it is there. Accuracy is 80% or better

Question 8

is an mrcp better than a ct scan in detecting pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Most times MRCP is done without using intravenous contrast, and the study is primarily to look at the bile ducts and pancreatic duct. In such a situation, all the study accomplishes is to tell yes or no, the ducts are dilated or not and gives an indication where the obstruction is. CT, when well done can be better. 
On the other hand, if the MRI contrast can be comprehensive.

Question 9

can pancreatic cancer or cancer in pancreas be detected with ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Often: Very small tumors may be missed. Generally suspicious masses can be seen. Sometimes special versions can be helpful.

Question 10

if you have pancreatic cancer, will your pancreatic enzymes be normal, and can pancreatic cancer develop within a month of getting a ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Panc. Ca grows slow: The investigation found that pancreatic cancer develops and spreads much more slowly than has been thought, when it first forms to when it kills spanning two decades or more, says Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, MD, PhD, of Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins,That means effective early detection strategies could have a major impact on outcome   Insufficient pancreatic enzymes is common in Panc, cancer patients

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Doctor answers about:

Ct scan vs mri for pancreatic cancer

A member asked:

Whats better for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.... ct scan or mri? i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan with contrast. still worried.

A member asked:

Whats better for diagnosing pancreatic cancer? ct scan or mri? 34yr male. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan with contrast. still worried.

A member asked:

Possible to have pancreatic cancer not show on ct mri & eus? symptoms for a year but scans & ca19-9 negative. only 6mm simple cysts seen (no biopsy).

A member asked:

What would a pet scan show that a ct scan may not for a person with pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

If pancreatic cancer in body or tail is causing symptoms, would it show up on a iv contrast ct scan?

A member asked:

If pancreatic cancer was the cause of mildly elevated lipase, would the tumor likely be big enough to be seen on a ct scan?

A member asked:

How likely is it that a ct scan would show pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Is an mrcp better than a ct scan in detecting pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Can pancreatic cancer or cancer in pancreas be detected with ct scan?

A member asked:

If you have pancreatic cancer, will your pancreatic enzymes be normal, and can pancreatic cancer develop within a month of getting a ct scan?

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