Question 1

if pancreatic cancer was the cause of a blood clot,weight loss and digestive problems,would there be abnormalities in pancreatic function blood tests?

Accepted Answer

No: There are no common serum markers for pancreatic function. Amylase and lipase are markers for recent pancreatic injury and are usually normal with pancreatic cancer. If there is any suspicion -- including a bizarre and unexpected thrombous, perhaps at an odd location -- imaging studies of the pancreas may be in order.

Question 2

when does weight loss typically occur in pancreatic cancer? i've been worried b/c of elevated alt and mild, migrating abd pain. but i'm gaining weight

Accepted Answer

Cancer unlikely: If you are gaining weight pancreatic cancer is unlikely. Your elevated ALT is more likely due to fatty change in the liver. Do not use acetaminophen or alcohol. Try to lose weight though diet and exercise.
Have a healthy diet, exercise, drink plenty of water, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. Get HPV vaccine
Nutrition: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

Question 3

if a person had pancreatic cancer that is causing left side pain (under the rib cage) and back pain, should you be experiencing weight loss too?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic Cancer: Unfortunately even in this era of tremendous advances in oncology field pancreatic cancer is still a gruesome diagnosis. The most common symptom is jaundice and pain is rather rare and can be associated with very advanced disease with significant weight loss.
Pain is more often associated with pancreatitis and specific tests should be done to rule out inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Question 4

heard pancreatic cancer grows slowly, had ct year and a half ago, with upper left abdom pain and 5% weight loss (since becom vege) ct still excludepc?

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying: You're a 22 year old man, non-smoker, your pain is lasting and  undefined, you became a vegetarian and weight loss is expected (people don't overeat vegetables), a pancreatic cancer sufficiently advanced to cause pain won't be missed on ct scan. You're off to a great start in life. Don't trouble yourself with cancerphobia. Pain that's serious would have revealed its cause by now.

Question 5

with jaundice, orange urine and weight loss present. how long does a person with pancreatic cancer usually have?

Accepted Answer

Don't give up: If it's a small tumor in the head of the pancreas, then you may still have a chance at a cure. There are high-risk super-aggressive surgeries that are producing a higher cure rate than in the past.

Question 6

if pain and weight loss were as a result of pancreatic cancer would ct colonoscopy see the tumour on pancreas as it sees these organs as well as colon?

Accepted Answer

Possible: It sounds as if you previously had a ct scan of your colon?  It is unlikely your pancreas was imaged with the "colonography".  An abdominal scan or ct dedicated to the pancreas is one of the better imaging studies to properly evaluate your pancreas.

Question 7

31 yr old- ruq pain 8 mos.- cbc,cmp, abdomus,egd,hida nml 6 mos ago.dr say acalculous choleysteitis.so scared of pancreatic cancer.no weight loss 7 mo

Accepted Answer

Don't be scarred: Cholecystitis is very common.  It is also common for all tests to be negative and you still have symptoms which get better after surgery.  Pancreatic cancer should not be your concern - since it is rare in 30 year olds and you don't have the symptoms.  Of course there are other conditions that could cause pain- hernia, colon issues, best to see a surgeon to discuss.

Question 8

pain ruq-x6mos- dr says gall bladder but hida, cbc,cmp,lipase,amalyse,egd and abdom us 6m ago nml- can this pancreatic cancer? 30 yo. no weight loss

Accepted Answer

No...Second opinion: Not likely to be pancreatic cancer given the imaging you've had so far. There is a blood test you can get that you that might be reassuring. I suggest a second opinion to evaluate for something more usual such as sphincter dysfunction. In the meantime avoid foods that induce symptoms

Question 9

can anyone tell me what causes pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

A lot of causes: Smoking, diabetes, BRCA (breast cancer) gene mutations, family history.  These are a few.  Hope this helps.

Question 10

does alcohol cause pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Whether alcohol abuse is an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer isn't clear; smoking clearly is. Abuse alcohol though and you're asking for chronic pancreatitis, a confusingly-named lifetime severe pain syndrome involving damage to the deep nerves of  the area. You don't want that, or any of several other unpleasant sequelae. Best wishes; make smart decisions & drink moderately if at all.

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Doctor answers about:

What causes weight loss in pancreatic cancer

A member asked:

If pancreatic cancer was the cause of a blood clot,weight loss and digestive problems,would there be abnormalities in pancreatic function blood tests?

A member asked:

When does weight loss typically occur in pancreatic cancer? i've been worried b/c of elevated alt and mild, migrating abd pain. but i'm gaining weight

A member asked:

If a person had pancreatic cancer that is causing left side pain (under the rib cage) and back pain, should you be experiencing weight loss too?

A member asked:

Heard pancreatic cancer grows slowly, had ct year and a half ago, with upper left abdom pain and 5% weight loss (since becom vege) ct still excludepc?

A member asked:

With jaundice, orange urine and weight loss present. how long does a person with pancreatic cancer usually have?

A member asked:

If pain and weight loss were as a result of pancreatic cancer would ct colonoscopy see the tumour on pancreas as it sees these organs as well as colon?

A member asked:

31 yr old- ruq pain 8 mos.- cbc,cmp, abdomus,egd,hida nml 6 mos ago.dr say acalculous choleysteitis.so scared of pancreatic cancer.no weight loss 7 mo

A member asked:

Pain ruq-x6mos- dr says gall bladder but hida, cbc,cmp,lipase,amalyse,egd and abdom us 6m ago nml- can this pancreatic cancer? 30 yo. no weight loss

A member asked:

Can anyone tell me what causes pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Does alcohol cause pancreatic cancer?

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