Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I am a 65 yo female living in Jacksonville, NC, USA. I had a grandmother on my mothers side, and an uncle on my fathers side, die from pancreatic cancer.I have high enzyme readings of amalyse (wrong spelling) for many years and at other times it is in the normal range. I have gone to a endocrinologist who did a mri about 5 years ago on my pancreausand they said it was normal and couldnt find any thing wrong. The Dr. said that I could be just one of those people who have this unknown etiology and dont know what causes it. Diabetes is very prevalent on my mothers side her mother as well as her sister and brother died from it, altho my mother who is 87 and my father did not have it nor do any of my sisters or brothers as of yet have it., My question is: what can cause such high enzyme readings, sometimes in the upper 300 scale and can it contribute to pancreatic cancer? and what are the later symptoms of pancreatic cancer and the pain associated with it. Is the pain located in the upper abdomen or lower abdomen with this type of cancer.is it a constant pain or only when you eat or after eating?i know it is a difficult cancer to detect and would getting mri or cat scans so many years be able to detect this cancer early if it is present? can this type of cancer be detected early and treated? Being that i have such a family history i am concerned. Thank you for your time, Nadine Connolly
[|AI|]  Greetings. First you should not be worried due to an isolated high amylase level. There can be several causes of raised serum amylase like gall stone disease salivary gland duct stones intestinal infections, inflammations diabetes(uncontrolled)small cystic lesions of pancreatic biliary region benign conditions. However, high amylase level are not associated with pancreatic cancer. You may have little higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer as you have positive family history for that. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in abdomen, or development of jaundice. These may or may not indicate pancreatic cancer and should not cause undue worry. You should be in regular surveillance with your doctor. Regards