Question 1

can pancreatic cancer be seen using ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Usually: I've seen a few at autopsy that were so small or similar enough in texture to the rest of the pancreas that they would probably have been missed.

Question 2

can pancreatic cancer be missed in ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

About "can": The answer to whether or not something "can" happen in life is often "yes" because, as the saying goes, the only two things guaranteed in life are "death and taxes." The more useful question asks "how likely" is something to happen. Any ultrasound can miss any cancer, because cancers start with a single cell and take a while to become visible. One's doctor who sees the entire picture can advise.

Question 3

some studies indicate a sensitivity of 90%+ for detecting pancreatic cancer using routine ultrasound in thin patients, others say 70%? which is it?

Accepted Answer

U/S least sensative: You need to get a MRI or MRCP  OF THAT AREA for a definitive diagnosis

Question 4

33m, had very slightly raised alt in september. retest: normal, ultrasound showed "normal pancreas". have mild abd pain. pancreatic cancer a concern?

Accepted Answer

NO...but: I suggest an abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallstons or an inflammed gallbladder.

Question 5

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 6

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 7

i am still so anxious about having pancreatic cancer. my lipase levels have fluctuated slightly over the past year - from 1 to 20 points over the reference range. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan. dr seems to think it's just me. but why??

Accepted Answer

Reference range: Reference range or normal values are derived by taking the central 95% of the levels in "healthy" people. Therefore, by definition, 5% of the "healthy" people have a level outside the reference range, without having any disease. Quit worrying about pancreatic cancer and your lipase level.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 8

should normal pancreas on ct scans, ultrasound, blood work,and tumor markers be enough to alleviate my anxiety about pancreatic cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Is there a family history of cancer of the pancreas that has you concerned? All tests can miss tiny areas of cancer, if you are high risk the testing should be repeated yearly or so to see if there are any changes. Sounds like you have had a pretty thorough work up, so I would rest easy, but get repeat studies if there is some risk factor.

Question 9

due to kidney stones i have had 2 ultrasounds, 2 ct's and 1 mri w/contrast in past year.  if i had pancreatic cancer would one of these picked it up?

Accepted Answer

Whether the: CTs or MRI you had would be sensitive in detecting a small pancreatic cancer would depend on the technical parameters of the scans, so without additional information it is difficult to say.  Large tumors would not be missed, small tumors might not be detectable if the scan was tailored for other purposes.

Question 10

if gallbladder and liver are normal on ultra sound, and i have no other symptoms such as jaundice, but yellow stools sometimes that greasy and float, could it be pancreatic cancer. scared!!

Accepted Answer

Prob not: Would work up malabsorption. Or other issues. Get full work up with your doctor

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Doctor answers about:

Will ultrasound show pancreatic cancer

A member asked:

Can pancreatic cancer be seen using ultrasound?

A member asked:

Can pancreatic cancer be missed in ultrasound?

A member asked:

Some studies indicate a sensitivity of 90%+ for detecting pancreatic cancer using routine ultrasound in thin patients, others say 70%? which is it?

A member asked:

33m, had very slightly raised alt in september. retest: normal, ultrasound showed "normal pancreas". have mild abd pain. pancreatic cancer a concern?

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:

I am still so anxious about having pancreatic cancer. my lipase levels have fluctuated slightly over the past year - from 1 to 20 points over the reference range. i've had normal ultrasound and ct scan. dr seems to think it's just me. but why??

A member asked:

Should normal pancreas on ct scans, ultrasound, blood work,and tumor markers be enough to alleviate my anxiety about pancreatic cancer?

A member asked:

Due to kidney stones i have had 2 ultrasounds, 2 ct's and 1 mri w/contrast in past year. if i had pancreatic cancer would one of these picked it up?

A member asked:

If gallbladder and liver are normal on ultra sound, and i have no other symptoms such as jaundice, but yellow stools sometimes that greasy and float, could it be pancreatic cancer. scared!!

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