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What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain Radiating To Lower Left Back?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014

Question: Hi there I am a 32 year old male with no history of cancer in my family. I have recently been getting lower left abdominal pain (stabbing) radiating to a dull pain in my lower left back. Occasionally I get stabbing pain on right side below rib cage. My blood work is normal with the exception of raised liver enzymes. I have small black coffee ground like spots in my stool. I am taking epilim (for 25 years) nexium and tenolten for blood pressure. Very confused! Am worried about colon cancer or pancreatic problems.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please read detailed response

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Greetings from health care magic!!! I am Dr Thakker and shall be answering your question.

I can understand your concerns about your health and anxiety about malignancy.

Can you please provide me with the following clinical details:

D you consume alcohol?

Dd you experience a loss of weight in last few months?

I would recommend you to have serum amylase levels done. CT scan of the abdomen would be the next step for us to rule out an underlying malignancy.
The CT will also rule out other plausible causes of your abdominal pain like renal stones, splenic enlargement, colitis etc.

I would also recommend the following tumor markers to be tested on your blood: CA 19-9, CEA, AFP.

I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write back to me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Thakker (14 minutes later)

Many thanks for this response.

I do not consume alcohol and I have not experienced weight loss.
I should also add that a recent CT scan of bladder and kidney function was mostly normal, with the exception of a dillated right kidney.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
CT abdomen, tumor marker levels.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Thank you for your response. it is good that you do not consume alcohol.

I would advice you to have a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast, serum amylase levels, tumor markers CA 19-9, CEA, AFP.

These are mandatory to rule out an underlying malignancy.

I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write back to me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Thakker (14 minutes later)

OK thank you very much. I know it can't be ruled out until test are done, but is it failry rare for people my age and context to have colon/pancreatic cancer?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Low risk for cancer

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

You do not have the risk factors for the cancers. However, I have seen patients in your age group with no risk factors develop these cancers. Hence getting the tests done is the best way out. It will also give you scientific evidence that you are normal.

I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write back to me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D