Marked atrophic changes within the body and tail of the pancreas associated with dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and ductal side branches within the pancreatic body and tail to the level of the pancreatic head where an approximately 3.0 cm heterogeneously enhancing pancreatic mass is present. Residual soft tissue in the region of the inferior aspect of the head and uncinate process of the pancreas may represent residual pancreatic parenchyma, but, the possibility of additional mass cannot be ruled out.
As a layperson, I had to read this three or four times to make any sense of that impression. When I had some grasp, these are the words that stood out: pancreas, pancreatic mass, and possibility of additional mass cannot be ruled out. I was pretty sure that “mass” meant tumor.
Linda and I immediately drove over to Dr. Terrana’s office to discuss the test results with him. We arrived at about 5:00 PM with no appointment and a waiting room full of patients. As soon as Dr. Terrana heard we were there, he ushered us into his office. We were there for over an hour. [To this day, I’m still sorry for causing the other patients to wait so long.]
Dr. Terrana calmly discussed the possibilities with us. And he suggested the steps that should be taken next. Previously, neither Linda nor I knew anything about pancreatic cancer nor the dire consequences often associated with it. But we were fearful of the possibility of cancer.