USMLE Question of the Week

Evaluating Pancreatic Malignancies

In Episode 46 of Med School Question of the Week for USMLE, Alisa Khomutova, MedSchoolCoach expert tutor, answers this medical school question: A 46-year old man comes to the physician for the evaluation of a 6-month history of fatigue and profuse, watery, odorless diarrhea. He reports that he has had a 20-pound weight loss during this time. Physical examination shows conjunctival pallor and mildly delayed capillary refill. Vitals are significant for a HR of 110. Laboratory studies are significant for a fasting glucose of 132 mg/dL, a potassium of 2.3 mEq/L and a calcium of 12.1 mg/dL. On CT, there is well-defined, enhancing mass of about 3x3x3 in the pancreatic tail. Additional evaluation would most likely show which of the following?
  • Tricuspid Insufficiency
  • Peptic Ulcers
  • Hyperinsulinemia
  • Cholelithiasis
  • Achlorhydria
  • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema
  • Episodic Hypertension
Click to Reveal the Correct Answer

Achlorhydria

Alisa Khomutova

Alisa received her B.S. from University of California, Davis, and attended Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. In 2020, she matched into Stony Brook Teaching Hospital practicing General Surgery for residency.

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