I recently had a CT Scan and the doctor said the pancreas was somewhat atrophic. What does that mean?
The CT scan of the abdomen is a very good test to evaluate the pancreas. It can demonstrate many abnormalities, specifically it looks at the substance of the pancreas, the duct within the pancreas and the blood vessels and other structures adjacent to the pancreas. Atrophy refers to reduction in size of the pancreas. It is very common with advancing age. My father and his brother died of pancreatic cancer. Each were in their 60s. I am a female, 65 years old. I have recently had a heart and lung CT scan. The lung screen impression states that there is some punctate pancreatic calcifcations. My doctor cannot answer this question, If calcium deposits in the breast are warnings of breast cancer, are calcium deposits in the pancreas a warning of pancreatic cancer? Calcium deposits within the pancreas are commonly seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Calcium deposits within the pancreas are not commonly known as a marker for pancreatic cancer. There is however a slight increased risk
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- I recently had a CT Scan and the doctor said the pancreas was somewhat atrophic. What does that mean?
