Home   Recent Questions   Ask Oncologist    Health Forums   Testimonials   FAQs


This question was answered on Wed 10, Dec 2008 05:30am by Dr Dennis S, MD

Undiagnosed RUQ ache for 2 years


    
Asked by rebches (Male; 47; Cervical Spine Fusion C6-C7 2005 GERD Non-Smoker Social Drinker; Relevant drugs:xanax .5/day amitryptoline ) on Tue 09, Dec 2008 03:37pm

I have been suffering from constant RUQ abdominal pain to the right of the sternum just underneath the ribs for 2 years. The pain level varies from 1-5 on a scale of 10. This pain has been undiagnosed. I have been seeing a gastro doc and I have had an Abdominal CAT scan, Abdominal MRI, Ultrasound, Hida Scan (65% ejection fraction), thoracic spine MRI in 2007, ongoing blood tests including liver panels, lipase, amylase, urine tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy, and stool tests. All normal except slightly elevated ALT on some tests, and a liver hermangiomo (1.2cm). My weight has been constant thus far and I have no change in bowel habits. I was just getting comfortable that this was nothing and living with the pain, when I developed a right middle back ache about 5 weeks ago. It came on gradually with no trauma or sudden pain. This pain is fairly constant and about a 3-6 on the 10 scale. The pain does not wake me up at night usually, and neither does the abdominal pain. I also got a second opinion from another doc at Hopkins who had no answers for the abdominal pain. With the onset of back pain, what is your recommendation? Could this be pancreatic cancer or something ominous? Is the back ache related? Could something have possibly been missed? What is my next step? My primary care DR. brushed it off as nothing and sent me home.
Actions: | Forward |
Answer


Name 

Email 

Security code
Enter the text as shown above


E-Mail me when someone replies to this post
Answer by Dr Dennis S, MD  on Wed 10, Dec 2008 05:30am:

Hi. Based on the information you gave, it is possible that the persistent pain that you are experiencing for the last 2 years is caused by the liver hemangioma. This is a noncancerous liver tumor composed of dilated blood vessels. One of the indications for treatment of this condition is persistent pain. Treatment includes embolization, ligation, or surgery to remove the tumor. Another consideration for the abdominal pain you are experiencing would be a peptic ulcer disease. The endoscopy that will be performed on you will confirm the diagnosis. You mentioned pancreatic cancer as one of your considerations. Pancreatic cancer most commonly presents with jaundice especially with the involvement of the right side of the pancreas. Along with jaundice, other signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss, pruritus, dark urine, light stools, anorexia, and weakness. However, there are cases when jaundice is not present. This is true for neoplasm involving the left side of the pancreas. Left-sided neoplasm usually presents with epigastric pain and back pain. You already underwent several diagnostic procedures, which did not pick up any tumor in the pancreas. As for the back pain, it is possible that this is a referred type of pain from the initial abdominal pain. It may also be related to your history of cervical spine problem. It would be best to wait for the results of the pending examinations. Take care.

Detailed answer for your question: Available in paid version. - Click to pay.
Second opinion from another doctor: Available in paid version. - Click to pay.
               

If you find the site useful, please consider making a donation.  Click the button to donate.   

Please rate my answer (select the stars, no need to log in.)  

Comments:

Comment by rebches on Thu 08, Jan 2009 03:12pm: I

This question is open for comments.  Please share your opinion.

Comments


Name 

Email 

Security code
Enter the text as shown above


E-Mail me when someone replies to this post
Other cancer questions you might be interested in.
  1. cancer - lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks without trying: Chances of cancer  (Answered) - Viewed 1645 times   lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks without trying, urinating at night 3 times after going to bed, CT of head pelvis neg. ct of liver show tw...
  2. Cancer? fever and a pain on the left side of my body near my ovaries and a pain near my liver  (Answered) - Viewed 4674 times   Back in august I had an MRI, because of severe headaches, nausea, loss of feeling in myy right hand, and fainting( dizzines too)...
  3. Enlarged lymph nodes - sign of secondary lymph node cancer?  (Answered) - Viewed 2224 times   Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and DCIS in other breast 2001. Mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy. 4 weeks ago I h...
  4. pancreatic cancer - Pain in the right upper side of abdomen, bad headaches.  (Answered) - Viewed 10895 times   my sister has been going to a gasterologist because of pain in her upper right side of abdomen. He has ruled out cushing and ch...
  5. throat - Choking feeling on right side of throat  (Answered) - Viewed 1533 times   i have got a choking feeling on right side of throat and the tonsil looks like it has something under it and my ear aches . i ha...
  6. Lump in side that is hard and hurts, waist height right side.  (Answered) - Viewed 5345 times   I have a dull ache on my right side about waist hieght. There seems to be a hard lump there. My urine has made me ache a little ...
  7. Cancer? - Sever headache, MRI showed nothing: Large lump on quarter of finger  (Answered) - Viewed 883 times   I have had severe headaches for about four months, my doctor said they are not migraines. However I had an MrI and nothing came ...
  8. Squamous Cell Cancer - Inoperable squamous cell cancer and prognosis  (Answered) - Viewed 1059 times   My husband has been diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer. He has 3 tumors in his lymph gland of his neck, 2 in his shoulder blad...
  9. investigations to rule out myeloma - Ruled out Myeloma but concerned about renal function  (Answered) - Viewed 1338 times   Hi, Sorry if i dont explain these lab results well. I cant understand the layout of the results on the form!Recently i went to t...
  10. LGPA - Mass noticed in mouth and sore appeared on the outside in the cheek area  (Answered) - Viewed 803 times   My mum has an LGPA, originally found around 30 years ago, but not identified as anything serious and therefore not treated. Som...
  11. Diagnosed with prostate cancer and was having body ache.  (Answered) - Viewed 1969 times   i was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was having some body aches so my doctor sent me for a bone scan on 04/16/2008 and the r...

 
What users are searching right now on Ask an oncologist now:
StageIIIMultipleMyelomaIgA     NON20PAINFULBUMP20ON20ARM     askendometrialcancerquestions     Canabenignmole     5year     252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252B252BResult252Bchosen252Bnickname252B252522rocketguy8125252225253b252Bregistered252B2528re     25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252B25252BResult25252Bchosen25252Bnick     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     free20medication     askendometrialcancerquestions     asktesticularcancerquestions     askpancreaticcancerquestions     askcolorectalcancerquestions     atypical carcinoid in lung     askbladdercancerquestions     askovariancancerquestions     askbreastcancerquestions     askkidneycancerquestions     clearcell     askskincancerquestions     asklungcancerquestions     faint kappa band     duodenal20follicular20lymphoma     Swollen20occipital20lymph20nodes     ihaveasmallblackbluelumpont     low20gamma20globulin     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     colorectal20cancer     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     prostate20cancer     GOLF     GOLF     GOLF     GOLF     ovarian20cancer     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     breast20cancer     white20bump20beside20anus     skin20cancer     lung20cancer     cop     soft tissue density lung     suggested Herceptin     how     taxol     free light chains     clearcell     small lump on my anus     BloomRichardson scoring system     free medication     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     normal20wbc20high20lymphocytes20and20low20granulytes20percentage     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     swollen20lymph20nodes20around20colon     GOLF     GOLF     GOLF     GOLF     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     nonhodgkins20lymphoma20and20lambda20monoclonial20cells     liepoma     askkidneycancerquestions     SwollemlymphnodesEpsteinBarrtiredwartscandida     metastatic20liver20cancer     i20was20just20diagnosed20with20intestinal20metaplasia20what20questions20should20i20ask20to20my20dr20now     Dermoid cyst of frontal lobe     immuno20fixation     immuno20fixation     

©2011 - Ask an oncologist now  |  All Rights Reserved
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on askanoncologistnow is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence askanoncologistnow and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.

Home | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | Frequently Asked Questions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Advertise with us
Stats