Forum Discussion

Tuppence's avatar
Tuppence
Member
6 years ago

Cysts - pancreas

Hi, I had a successful lumpectomy/radiation 3 years ago and have been cancer free since then. I've been so lucky.

However, on the latest 6 monthly blood test, Ca19.9 levels were up and rising, so I was sent for Pet scan (clear of obvious cancer, hooray!). But then another blood test showed they were still going up so I was sent an MRI to check for very small cancers.

The surgeon who read the MRI told me that I had small cysts on my pancreas, and that they are harmless now but could turn cancerous. His method for dealing with that is to watch them. I'll be sent for another MRI in a year.

He also said the Ca19.9 readings can indicate pretty much anything, from not very significant things to serious, and I'll also be having an endoscopy/colonoscopy to double check. 

Has anyone out there had a similar situation?  I know pancreatic cancer is pretty scary.

blood-tests
mri
  • Tuppence's avatar
    Tuppence
    Member
    6 years ago
    Many thanks .... yes it's slightly over 2 weeks away ... I'm trying to steer clear of colds and the dreaded virus ... I really want to get the test done so I can relax a bit! Am not projecting too badly but there's just an underlying tension there that will ease off when I know the facts. 

    Also didn't have a chance to ask the surgeon about the cysts, as the situation caught me by surprise. I've made a list of questions for our next appointment. 

    Yes very happy with the 6 monthly checks ... I'm glad he does it this way ...

    all the best
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    Sorry, I didn’t finish the sentence above.
    i understand it is hard not to jump to conclusions and worst case scenarios ( I am guilty of that as well), specially when life has dealt us the cancer card once.  
    Sending you hugs and best wishes.
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    That makes sense, if you can monitor your health with a blood test then that is great.  

    When do you have your endoscopy/colonoscopy? I understand it is hard not to jump to the worst
  • Tuppence's avatar
    Tuppence
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks for taking the time to reply PV123 ... the surgeon said the cysts are small and 'pre-cancerous' but not cancer. A bit like polyps in the bowel. They need to be watched.

    The oncologist suggested the 6 monthly blood tests as I had lobular breast cancer which can spread around the body. I'm very glad I'm having them. 

    Yes the colonoscopy/endoscopy will be revealing as the surgeon said there might be something there which has pushed the readings up. Apparently the Ca19.9 is a reading for the pancreas, but other situations in the gut can push levels up. Or it can be nothing in particular that shows up at all. 

    And yes, this sort of thing pushes the anxiety levels up, that's for sure!

    Thanks again
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    Having cancer can make one very anxious, I worry about every change in my body. Did the oncologist suggest the six monthly blood test?

    I am still undergoing active treatment, however when I asked the oncologist what follow up would be needed after active treatment she did not mention any blood tests.  

    I am no expert but my understanding is that cysts are fluid sacs, not cancer.  Hopefully the reading is due to something insignificant, it is good that you are having the endoscopy/colonoscopy.

    Good luck with everything.