Please Advise

I need advice on what to do now.  I had an ultrasound that showed "vague hypoechoicgenicity" on pancreas, follow by a ct scan that showed a normal pancreas.  My CA 19-9 is 17. I have heard the ct scans miss small tumors.  My doctor says I must have IBS and won't order any more tests even though I have these symptoms.

abdominal pain      back pain

no appitite         weight loss (20 lb in 10 weeks)

nausea              loose, tellow, frequent bm's

bloating            I am also diabetic

Should I go to another doctor ( I would have to pay the cost) to try to get another test?  What else could these be symptoms of?  Is ct more reliable than ultrasound?  Please help...Teresa

PC can be hard to diagnose.  Your CA 19-9 is not that elevated.  Usually in PC this is > 100.  Urine darkening, stool changes, and pruritus are often noticed by patients before clinical jaundice.  Yes the CT is better than the US particullary if its a spiral CT.  These are  > 80% accurate.  However, small tumors can be missed even with spiral CT.  I would keep pressing until you find an answer even if it means changing docs.

I'm not a doctor but if it were me i would press for another medical opinion.  Especially if you have sudden unexplanined weight loss.  Weight loss is not typically seen with IBS.  But it is seen in Chrons, and colitis.  Abdomenal pain, change in stools, bloating are also symptoms of these diseases.  Have you had a colonoscopy to rule out those things?

Get a second opinion it will give you peace of mind.  Plus if a second opinion shows you do have PC then at least you didn't sit and waste precious time, getting treatment sooner.  Best of luck.

suz