Can a 3.4 cm tumor only lead to a cancer?
Patient: My husband is being investigated for pancreatic cancer. He has a 3.4 cm tumor an the tail and the PET scan ruled out a PNET. He is going to have a EUS next week as the Dr has given us some hope that this maybe now benign. The interesting thing was an enormous amount of blood tests show all to be in normal range or NAD. I m not a fool and I know that they are doing a biopsy to determine if this is a malignant tumor but I just want to know would we expect his bloods to be more abnormal if it was cancer. He s 55 and was extremely healthy until 8 was ago when he developed pancreatitis with gallstones ruled out and he only drinks socially. I should add there s a 1.8cm lesion on his liver but our pancreatic spec is saying that on the PET scan they are possibly unrelated. I m an RN and my husband is now telling everyone he doesn t have cancer. I wish I could share his optimism but he s now lost 12 kg in 8 weeks. Would appreciate your comments re normal bloods!!!! Thanks a wife of 35 yrs whom still love my husband dearly!!! Jilleen Doctor: Hi and welcome to HCM thanks for the query. it is not easy to determine is this cancer or some benign lesion but size of it isn't promising. it is always good to have hope but cancer in tail of pancreas commonly dont show any lab abnormality including tumor markers and pancreatic enzymes so this should not confuse you. ct feature may show signs of cancer but of course it must be confirmed with more specific test. weight loss isn't good sign too so I wouldn't be very optimistic but there is still reason to hope for cure even if this is cancer.. Wish you good health. Regards