Question 1

hi doctor can mri detect pancreatic cancer early?

Accepted Answer

Yes: it's quite possible.  I had a patient with abdominal pain who incidentally had a CT done, indicating a pancreatic mass, and follow up MRI confirmed the mass, prompting a further assessment with an endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration.  So it's possible.  But at 19, you're less likely to have pancreatic cancer.

Question 2

are mri reliable for detecting pancreatic. cancer because i recently had one and i dont feel very reassured ?

Accepted Answer

Do not worry: It is very rare for a 19 year-old to have pancreatic cancer and if an MRI did not show it, there is no reason to worry about it.

Question 3

hi doctor i was wondering. if mri can detect pancreatic cancers?

Accepted Answer

Yes: At your age (19), the risk of pancreatic cancer is vanishingly low. The detection rate for such a tumor is quite good; it may pick up a tiny leson that's producing jaundice so if that's why you think you (or someone you care for) may have it, getting 'scoped may also be in order.

Question 4

can they distinquish the differenece between chronic pancreatits and pancreatic  cancer on mri?

Accepted Answer

Tissue for diagnosis: Mri can give anatomic detail that will guide your health care team in making an opinion about pancreatic cancer. A piece of tissue from your pancreas, obtained at an endoscopic biopsy, or ct guided biopsy or surgery will give the pathologist the tissue needed for examination under the microscope. The pathologist makes the diagnosis with a sample of tissue.

Question 5

hi doctor i recently had mri with and without contrast and mrcp and the results cameback normal should i still worry about pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Stop worrying, Steve! I'm glad you're okay. Maybe there's an organic cause, or maybe it's nerves. Really happy for you.

Question 6

if someone has pancreatic cancer and an mri was done that showed a new tumor (liver) does this mean it is always cancerous? does a biopsy make sense?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Every lesion seen doesn't mean its cancer. A biopsy would make sense if you would do something different with either a positive, negative, or non-diagnostic result. If there would be nothing different done in terms if treatment, life planning, etc., twgardless of the result, them don't do it. Hope this helps!

Question 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

what test is the best test to look for pancreatic cancer i'm scared? i have abd pain had mri/us/ct only thing it show is gb stones or polyps please help

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies best: The tests you had are very sensitive for finding pancreatic masses. If they show only stones then that is the likely reason for pain. Pancreatic cancer is rare at your age and stones can commonly cause pain and are far more common in a young woman. Blood test for ca19-9 can be used but is not specific for cancer.

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Doctor answers about:

MRI pancreatic cancer

A member asked:

Hi doctor can mri detect pancreatic cancer early?

A member asked:

Are mri reliable for detecting pancreatic. cancer because i recently had one and i dont feel very reassured ?

A member asked:

Hi doctor i was wondering. if mri can detect pancreatic cancers?

A member asked:

Can they distinquish the differenece between chronic pancreatits and pancreatic cancer on mri?

A member asked:

Hi doctor i recently had mri with and without contrast and mrcp and the results cameback normal should i still worry about pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

If someone has pancreatic cancer and an mri was done that showed a new tumor (liver) does this mean it is always cancerous? does a biopsy make sense?

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 test is the best test to look for pancreatic cancer i'm scared? i have abd pain had mri/us/ct only thing it show is gb stones or polyps please help

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