My dad's MRI shows pancreatic mass...

[3prettyprincesses]

I'm hoping someone can offer a bit of insight. My dad just had an MRI for back pain and they found a large (4" x 5") mass on the tail of his pancreas. The dr. said that this mass probably (!) wasn't cancer and to not worry about it. That makes me very nervous. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scurvy]

I would not accept a diagnosis of "probably not cancer", even though it is very unlikely that a mass that large would be pancreatic cancer. I do not want to make you panic. If the doctor says you shouldn't worry about it, it's probably nothing. But I would get a second opinion if at all possible. My father died in April of pancreatic cancer. It was diagnosed in March and had already started to spread. If we had known about it earlier, it could have been treated. It is a horrible disease because most people don't know they have it until they have symptoms, but usually by the time the major symptoms show up it is already spreading. Once it starts to spread the prognosis is not nearly as good. If there's any possibility at all that it is something serious, the sooner you know the better chance there is to fight it.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I would not accept a diagnosis of "probably not cancer", even though it is very unlikely that a mass that large would be pancreatic cancer. I do not want to make you panic. If the doctor says you shouldn't worry about it, it's probably nothing. But I would get a second opinion if at all possible. My father died in April of pancreatic cancer. It was diagnosed in March and had already started to spread. If we had known about it earlier, it could have been treated. It is a horrible disease because most people don't know they have it until they have symptoms, but usually by the time the major symptoms show up it is already spreading. Once it starts to spread the prognosis is not nearly as good. If there's any possibility at all that it is something serious, the sooner you know the better chance there is to fight it.

I'm very sorry to hear that your father passed away so recently. Thank you for your thoughts though, it must be difficult to comment on considering you have experience with this.

The only real symptoms he has are severe back pain and fatigue. There were comments on his MRI report stating that it was involving a mesenteric vein? He also has a mass on his adrenal gland but they said not to worry about that either. I'm trying not to panic but everything I've read online about a pancreatic mass (which keeps coming up as probable cancer!) is scaring the tar out of me. Unfortunately my dad is quite stubborn and is already refusing to even consider a biopsy. We're all frightened for him but now I'm thinking that he's in denial that anything could even be wrong.

 

[minkydog]

I would be frightened too.I'll not venture a guess as to what it is, but I would strongly suggest a second opinion and a biopsy. Hopefully this is something easily remedied.

Men can be real tough. They don't like to admit that something could be really wrong. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's machismo. My DH did the same thing when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He decided to just "wait & watch". I was beside myself! We had 3 kids under the age of 13! After about 3 weeks of me begging, pleading and crying DH finally bit the bullet and had the biopsy. Thank God it wasn't the inoperable cancer the doctor had predicted.

I hope your father will come to his senses and realize that he is scaring his whole family. I don't know if you've had that frank conversation yet, but he needs to hear it.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

You are in my thoughts ...

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I would be frightened too.I'll not venture a guess as to what it is, but I would strongly suggest a second opinion and a biopsy. Hopefully this is something easily remedied.

Men can be real tough. They don't like to admit that something could be really wrong. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's machismo. My DH did the same thing when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He decided to just "wait & watch". I was beside myself! We had 3 kids under the age of 13! After about 3 weeks of me begging, pleading and crying DH finally bit the bullet and had the biopsy. Thank God it wasn't the inoperable cancer the doctor had predicted.

I hope your father will come to his senses and realize that he is scaring his whole family. I don't know if you've had that frank conversation yet, but he needs to hear it.

Thank you minkydog. He is the most stubborn one in the family and his exact words were that he was 'done'. No more tests, no biopsy either. Which of course makes all of us who love him extremely frustrated and angry. I can't have that talk with him yet, the frank conversation, because he'll just tune me out. I have to wait a few days so he can mull it over on his own. He really seems to be ignoring the fact that something is on his pancreas that shouldn't be there. Anyhow, thanks for you comments!

 

[mdsoccermom]

You have to get him a biopsy. My mother had pancreatic cancer. Her first symptoms were severe back pain. Please make him get a second opinion and the biopsy.

 

[Buckalew11]

Hugs and prayers, my friend.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

You are in my thoughts ...

Thank you, very much.

Hugs and prayers, my friend.

Thank you Brenda. I'm trying not to assume the worst case but the internet is a horrible place if you're researching scary topics, isn't it? And he's just so darn stubborn! I'm hoping he'll come around, so many people love and care about him, we only want to be certain that he's ok.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

You have to get him a biopsy. My mother had pancreatic cancer. Her first symptoms were severe back pain. Please make him get a second opinion and the biopsy.

I'm sorry to hear your mother dealt with pancreatic cancer. Thank you for your advice, I'm thinking we might have to drug him and then drag him for a biopsy. Everyone is worried and we want him to definitely see a second doctor/surgeon.

 

[Buckalew11]

Thank you, very much.



Thank you Brenda. I'm trying not to assume the worst case but the internet is a horrible place if you're researching scary topics, isn't it? And he's just so darn stubborn! I'm hoping he'll come around, so many people love and care about him, we only want to be certain that he's ok.

Yes, the internet can really send your mind reeling. I know, my dad had agressive prostate cancer that took his like almost 4 yrs. ago. We read a lot about it on the internet--good and bad. I hope he comes around also. I think they do, most of the time. My dad would never go to a place like Mayo or Hopkins or anywhere though--he stayed stubborn in that aspect. My mom's boss has lung cancer and wouldn't do any treatment. Not sure whether it would have helped or not. Maybe he just *knew*.

I am going to keep positive thoughts for you all and you keep us posted with an update when you know more.

 

[C.Ann]

Your dad is probably in shock right now - and that is interfering with his ability to accept that there may be something serious going on.. Give him a day or two to adjust and hopefully he'll come around..

I know you're worried about him - I lost my dad to colon cancer in 1987 - but you'll make yourself sick looking up things on the internet.. See what your dad has to say when he's had a couple of days to process this health issue and he may surprise you..

Meanwhile, I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.. Be sure to update us when you learn anything new..

 

[MoniqueU]

I agree with C. Anne, give him a day or two to wrap his mind around things. I just had a seizure yesterday and refused medical treatment innitially because I couldn't wrap my head around what was going on. I imagine your dad must feel the same way. That is pretty overwhelming news to hear and I am sure he is in shock and will come to his senses.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thank you all. My dad had 3 other doctors and radiologists read his new MRI report and they all say that it is actually a mesentery cyst which upon first look, appeared to be on the pancreas. But further investigation shows that it is NOT on his pancreas! I am so very relieved, we all are. My dad most of all! Thank you so much for the comments and thoughts, it helped greatly since I was assuming the worst case scenario. The internet can be a mixed blessing at times, right? Anyhow, we're looking into probable removal of the cyst. Thanks again folks!

 

[C.Ann]

Thank you all. My dad had 3 other doctors and radiologists read his new MRI report and they all say that it is actually a mesentery cyst which upon first look, appeared to be on the pancreas. But further investigation shows that it is NOT on his pancreas! I am so very relieved, we all are. My dad most of all! Thank you so much for the comments and thoughts, it helped greatly since I was assuming the worst case scenario. The internet can be a mixed blessing at times, right? Anyhow, we're looking into probable removal of the cyst. Thanks again folks!

Wonderful news!!! No one wants to lose their "daddy".. I'm so happy for you and your entire family!!!

 

[Scurvy]

That's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear this. The internet really can make everything seem so much worse. I'm glad you got good news.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wonderful news!!! No one wants to lose their "daddy".. I'm so happy for you and your entire family!!!

Thanks C.Ann. Everyone is breathing a huge sigh of relief that it isn't involving his pancreas. I'm so glad that we got 3 more opinions on his MRI report!

That's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear this. The internet really can make everything seem so much worse. I'm glad you got good news.

Thank you Scurvy! It is wonderful news! I was making myself sick over what it initially *appeared* to be. Everything I was reading terrified me and made me frightened for my dad. He'll probably still need surgery to remove this cyst growth but at least now we know that it isn't his pancreas. Thanks again.

 

[C.Ann]

Everything I was reading terrified me and made me frightened for my dad.

I think we're all guilty of running to the internet when it involves health issues - our own or that of a family member - so you're not alone in that..

Quick story for you.. Back in March, my adult DD had blood work done.. Doctor called her back in for more blood work to follow up.. DD asked what was "off" - doctor told her and immediately followed with: "Do not look this up on the internet before I get the results back!" For once, DD listened.. Turned out to not be the very serious thing it "could" have been..

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I think we're all guilty of running to the internet when it involves health issues - our own or that of a family member - so you're not alone in that..

Quick story for you.. Back in March, my adult DD had blood work done.. Doctor called her back in for more blood work to follow up.. DD asked what was "off" - doctor told her and immediately followed with: "Do not look this up on the internet before I get the results back!" For once, DD listened.. Turned out to not be the very serious thing it "could" have been..

Ok, all doctors should automatically say that before they give you results or request more tests! Great advice!! I really was making myself sick over what I read online which in turn kept me up all night with worry.