Could It Be Cancer?

Hi everyone.  I am very concerned about my husband. He has chronic pancreatitis. We have been stuggling for years with this disease. His doctor has always suspected pancreatic cancer but has not been able to find anything.Today his doctor called to tell me that his CA19-9 test came back elevated to 49. He said that last year it was only 22. He is going to schedule an endoscopy for him. He has recently become diabetic also. Last year he had a major weight loss and has not recovered from it. Could it be pancreatic cancer? I'd really appreciate some feedback on this.

Thanks so much!

You don't say how long the doctor has suspected pancreatic cancer. PC tends to be a very aggressive disease and can move quickly, even when treated so I'd suspect your husband to be much worse if this has been going on for a year. Push for the ERCP so you can get a definitive diagnosis.

My personal OPINION is that an endoscopy is a good idea. My father lost a lot of weight for about a year before he suddenly became jaundice. Looking back we all wished we had said something earlier about his weight loss but felt it was more due to his lifestyle. The endoscopy will be able to see if anything is blocked and give you a better idea of what may or may not be there. If nothing else, it may just give you peace of mind.

 

On 3/14/2008 shirl110 wrote:

Hi everyone.  I am very concerned about my husband. He has chronic pancreatitis. We have been stuggling for years with this disease. His doctor has always suspected pancreatic cancer but has not been able to find anything.Today his doctor called to tell me that his CA19-9 test came back elevated to 49. He said that last year it was only 22. He is going to schedule an endoscopy for him. He has recently become diabetic also. Last year he had a major weight loss and has not recovered from it. Could it be pancreatic cancer? I'd really appreciate some feedback on this.

Thanks so much!

push for CT scan urgent, following major weight loss my husband had endoscopy which was clear, but then had abdo scan which revealed a mass on pancreas,so was scheduled for ct which confirmed, in all it took 3 weeks from referral, he had intensive chemo and 18 mths on is still enjoying life most of the time....his CA19-9 tests are still not revealing the disease!!   with weightloss ask GP for Enshake and take 2 daily as well as small meals and chocolate...my husband regained 1.5 stone in a shortwhile, it also helps to keep some smaller size clothes to hand to swop as weight fluctuates, as it boosts moral when things actually fit...good luck

The doctor has been checking him for the past five years, ever since he was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.. This will be his third ERCP. He is getting a cat scan on friday because of a lump on the lymphnode in his groin. I think he has pancreatic cancer. He has all of the risk factors. And alot of the symptoms. The elevation in his ca 19-9 is a red flag also. I have been preparing myself for a long time to deal with it ,should it happen. I know that chronic pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic cancer. And he has alot of damage to his pancreas from that. Thanks for your F.B.