CT shows spot, but doc wants to wait 3 months

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! DO NOT wait one more minute! It is dire that she get further testing and soon. I just lost my Dad to Pancreatic Cancer. He could have been diagnosed and had the whipple surgery if his doctor had listened to my Mom when she told him that there was no way that his sugar spike could have been related to his eating the year prior to his diagnosis of Stage 4 PC. By the time he was diagnosed after a CT scan finally ordered a year after the first symptoms of a pancreas problem, it was too late for ANYTHING to be done. There was NO stopping it.

So please, I beg you, make sure she gets something done SOON! Whether it be a second opinion or whatever. Something needs to be done NOW! I pray everything goes well for you all. My thoughts will be with you.

I dont understand this University hospital, although I would have called their gastro dept prior to sending the records.  I would call back and set up appt w/  gastro oncologist asap.  First try to look them up on line and usually they will list there physicians go thru there credentials and pick one or two and place the call, yeah make it sound worse then your sure it is, this is your mom's life so whatever gets her in, I would do.

You have a right to a second opinion, also I have heard of many who fax records over to John Hopkins, you dont have to ultimately use them put just get their opinion

                                    may God be w/ you

Extremely important to get a second opinion.  Perhaps at a Hospital that has a high rating in Pancreatic surgeries, ie: Johns Hopkins Baltimore Md.  Dr Christopher Wolfgand did my husband's surgery. or Mass General Hospital Boston Mass, both hospitals along with others are rated very high in this area of surgery according to the report on hospitals done by US News Hospita Rankings Report.   health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/?rankings-

I would not delay. I wish you well.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion about a condition that could result in death.  Nor is there anythng wrong with researchng the hospitals ratings and going to whichever you choose whichever is suitable for you.

It's very well understood that the more a Physician or Hospital is involved with a medical condition, this being Pancreatic or any gastro'  medical condition, the better your chance of survival. 

It may be a good idea for Dr's not at the top of those rating lists to seek out the guidance and direction of Physicians and Hospitals who are so involved in the treatment of gastro disease, so you can receive the same ratings.

It would be a comfort to patients who cannot get to these hospitals with the high ratings because of finances and lack of Insurance to allow out of state treatment.

I did my research and I am so happy my husband's surgery was a success.  That was a year ago. We know cancer can always pop up some place else and we will cross that bridge when we come to it. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion about a condition that could result in death.  Nor is there anythng wrong with researchng the hospitals ratings and going to whichever you choose whichever is suitable for you.

It's very well understood that the more a Physician or Hospital is involved with a medical condition, this being Pancreatic or any gastro'  medical condition, the better your chance of survival. 

It may be a good idea for Dr's not at the top of those rating lists to seek out the guidance and direction of Physicians and Hospitals who are so involved in the treatment of gastro disease, so you can receive the same ratings.

It would be a comfort to patients who cannot get to these hospitals with the high ratings because of finances and lack of Insurance to allow out of state treatment.

I did my research and I am so happy my husband's surgery was a success.  That was a year ago. We know cancer can always pop up some place else and we will cross that bridge when we come to it. 

On Aug 30, 2011 5:47 PM MidwestMom wrote:

My mom is currently hospitalized with what appears to be divericulosis/diverticultis.  She was admitted because she also been throwing up and couldn't keep the antibiotic down. 

A CT scan was done after arriving in the ER.  Today the doctor told us it shows a spot on the pancrease.  My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer, and there is a strong family history of other cancers (ovarian, breast etc). 

The doctor wants to wait 3 months and then run other tests to find out what this means.  I would much prefer the other tests be started now, knowing what an aggressive cancer this can be (if this is the case).  Doc told my dad that the spot could be scar tissue (don't know from what...only 1 surgery).

Any advice?  Does waiting make sense?

Do NOT wait!  Run, do not walk to another doctor and demand the following tests:

labs:  ca 19-9; lipase; amylase; comp. metabolic panel; lipid panel

radiology: endoscopic ultrasound; possible PET scan

Thinking of you and your family and wishing you the best.

Hi...

Had i just brought my wife to our family physician none of the above you mentioned would have been done.  I had to skip the family doctor business and head straight for the ER at our local acute care facility.  There is where all the tests were performed in a matter of 2-3 days for a proper diagnosis.... our next step within a few days of leaving the hospital was to meet with oncologists from both Standford Medical Center and UCSF.   

Jeff

Have you changed Doctors yet

Rick

Have you changed Doctors yet

Rick

Hey Everyone --

Please know that after reading your replies I quickly realized how ridiculous it would be to wait 3 months.  I am sort of embarrased at how naive I was to have to ask!  I suppose the post is good info to other new families who may find themselves in the same situation. 

My mom will be going to our University hospital very soon.  We are jumping through a bit of red tape right now getting her appts set up (discharged from a different hospital right before Holiday weekend, needing to get referral from doctor, etc), but the important thing is that our entire family is now in agreement with how to handle this, and hopefully we will get some answers soon.  We had some difficult discussions recently, but we are all on the same page now.

I wish the best for all of you and your families living with PC!  Thank you again for the wonderful advice and support.