questions about surgery for pseudocysts/ pancreatectomy

July 27, 2003

I have questions because of my last appt with the surgeon. I gave

details in a recent post. My first question is for those who have had

pseudocysts. I was shown a CT from Feb of 2002, that has an obvious

spot that he explained was a pseudocyst. This was the first

diagnosis. I am a little upset that I could see this on the CT but no

one else did. Granted I am a nurse so I have seen these tests before,

but I am in no way anything but a layman/novice in this dept. I am

not sure I fully understand what a pseudocyst is. What exactly is in

the cyst? Do they usually require surgery? Do they often resolve on

their own? I am scheduled for a CT in a little over a week to see

what it looks like now. If it remains the surgeon offered the option

of removal, " to see if it will decrease my pain " and lessen the

frequency of hospitalizations. I just wondered if anyone else has had

any relief from a pseudocyst removal. What was their experience after

the surgery?

At this point my instinct is to proceed directly to a pancreatectomy.

Every doctor involved believes it will be required eventually. Right

now I have excellent insurance that will cover Dr Sutherland. I still

have islets available, and I was told that my cancer risk if I allow

my pancreas to remain on the course it is currently on, is " high- to

very high " .

My next question is to those who have had the TP-ICT. Were you all

told that a postive BRCA (hereditary) test made further tests

necessary prior to the islet cell transplant? I was told if the

patient was BRCA positive a cell sample retrieved via ERCP was

necessary. That cell sample would be indicative of the risk level of

pancreatic cancer. If any abnormal cells were found, a total

pancreatectomy was recommended WITHOUT islet cell transplant. In that

case (the presence of abnormal cells), there was up to a 75% risk of

cancer. Obviously you would not want to inject possible cancer cells

into the liver.

I apologize if this was long or overly convoluted. It is such a

complicated situation, that was my best shot at clarity! Thanks to

all for your time in reading or responding.

Hoping God will bless you all,

Keri Beck in IL

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