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What Causes Recurrent Pancreatitis?
Question: My doctor wants to do a endoscopic ultrasound of my pancreas with biopsy. I have chronic pancreatis with occasional acute flareups. What are the chances of having pancreatic cancer. I have many calcifications and had severe septic shock 1 year ago, afterwards developed a cyst on my pancreas and had a drain for about 5 weeks. I asked at that time if I had pancreatic cancer, was told no, but I am becoming worried if I do, why else would they want to do the biopsy?
Brief Answer:
to find cancer or other problems
Detailed Answer:
if you have recurrent pancreatitis and the reason as to why you get these episodes is not clear, it is worth it to go for the Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Pancreatic cancer is difficult to pick up sometimes, even with the best imaging techniques (MRI, CT scan, etc). The good thing about endoscopic ultrasound is that the probe is placed right next to the pancreas and good views can be obtained (and a sample obtained as well).
If the cyst of the pancreas is still present, your doctor may want to rule cancer as well, and some cysts that look benign on imaging studies can become malignant, therefore a sample of the fluid within the cyst can be taken.
Also Autoimmune pancreatitis can be the problem, and blood tests are not always perfect to detect it, and a sample of the pancreas would be worth as well.
Ask your doctor that is performing the procedure before going for it, as he would have all the details of your history, and he is obliged to explain to you why he is doing the procedure.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
to find cancer or other problems
Detailed Answer:
if you have recurrent pancreatitis and the reason as to why you get these episodes is not clear, it is worth it to go for the Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Pancreatic cancer is difficult to pick up sometimes, even with the best imaging techniques (MRI, CT scan, etc). The good thing about endoscopic ultrasound is that the probe is placed right next to the pancreas and good views can be obtained (and a sample obtained as well).
If the cyst of the pancreas is still present, your doctor may want to rule cancer as well, and some cysts that look benign on imaging studies can become malignant, therefore a sample of the fluid within the cyst can be taken.
Also Autoimmune pancreatitis can be the problem, and blood tests are not always perfect to detect it, and a sample of the pancreas would be worth as well.
Ask your doctor that is performing the procedure before going for it, as he would have all the details of your history, and he is obliged to explain to you why he is doing the procedure.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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