Chapter - 6026

Hank's rising CA199 index finally made more than a dozen people in the group realize that Charlie possessed an invisible ability to determine a person's fate.

At this point, Hank was filled with fear. He was quickly injected with a contrast agent and wheeled into the hospital's full-scan CT room.

The enormous machine was operating wildly around him, and its violent vibrations, loud roars, and alarming sounds only amplified his internal panic.

In the past, this advanced medical technology had represented power and wealth for him, providing a sense of security.

But now, this same equipment filled him with overwhelming dread and terror.

Since the scan required him to be circled from head to toe twice, the duration only intensified his suffering.

Just as he felt on the verge of suffocation, the machine finally halted and pulled him out of the massive ring.

The lead door designed to block radiation slowly opened, and the private doctor along with several nurses hurriedly transferred him onto a mobile bed and took him back to the ward.

On the way, Hank couldn't help but ask, "What are the results of the scan?"

The private doctor reassured him, "Don't worry, Mr. Hank. The data from the full scan is extensive and needs to be processed and analyzed by the computer. Please return to the ward and wait. I've already communicated with the attending doctor, Dr. Johnson. He will come to inform you personally as soon as the results are available, so I won’t waste time relaying messages.”

“Okay…” Hank nodded slightly, his anxiety intensifying.

In the ward, Hank lay in bed for half an hour, consumed by despair. Finally, the attending doctor entered and approached his bedside. He spoke solemnly: “Mr. Hank, we have analyzed your scan results and found that the position of your pancreas exhibited significant abnormalities upon examination with the contrast agent. We consulted several experts who viewed the results and agreed that it is likely pancreatic cancer.”

Hank quickly inquired, “Can it be confirmed through the scans?”

Johnson nodded and responded, “The scan images, coupled with the CA199 index abnormalities, allow us to confirm this with reasonable certainty. Of course, a final confirmation will still rely on the pathological results, as pathology is key.”

Hank pressed on, “What should I do next? How advanced is my pancreatic cancer?”

Johnson stated, “Currently, we have preliminarily determined that it is still in the early stages of pancreatic cancer. After all, your last examination was normal. Based on the scan results, no lymph node involvement or distant metastasis has been detected.”

“That’s great!” Hank sighed with relief.

He knew that early-stage cancer carries a much higher chance of successful treatment.

However, Johnson was not optimistic. He warned gravely: “Mr. Hank, pancreatic cancer has a notoriously poor prognosis. Even in its early stage, if we proceed with a pancreatectomy, the five-year survival rate is the lowest among all cancers.”

Hank asked nervously, “The worst? Not even one of the worst?”

Johnson replied, “Overall, it stands out as the worst.”

Hank inquired, “Will my surgery be effective?”

Johnson answered, “At this moment, we aren’t overly optimistic, because it progresses very quickly. In just three months, your index has doubled, indicating that the cancer cells are growing rapidly and are aggressive. The more aggressive the cancer, the worse the prognosis.”

Wiping cold sweat from his brow, Hank asked, “What treatment plan do you have for me now?”

Johnson explained, “I’m here to discuss the surgery with you. Our current plan is to intervene as soon as possible and remove the pancreas without delay.”

Hank queried, “How long can I expect to live after having my pancreas removed? Five years?”

“Uncertain,” Johnson replied. “Pancreatic cancer is notably unpredictable. It develops rapidly and is highly lethal. There are instances where it seems to have been removed, yet it can suddenly reappear in a nearby organ. This also relies on factors beyond our control. However, one thing is clear: regardless of how early pancreatic cancer is detected, the five-year survival rate is below 10%, and the ten-year survival rate is virtually nonexistent.”

At this point, Johnson added, “Let me clarify: if thyroid cancer could be likened to the Italian army during World War II, then pancreatic cancer resembles the German army of that same period.”

Hank asked, “But didn’t Hitler ultimately lose?”

Johnson added, “In this analogy, the human body represents Poland.”

“Wow!” Hank exclaimed. “If the Germans could conquer Poland, certainly they could take Japan too!”

“Indeed,” Johnson acknowledged. “Just that it doesn’t occur as rapidly. The speed at which Hitler invaded Poland mirrors how fast pancreatic cancer develops. In this way, pancreatic cancer is the Nazi of cancers, the Hitler of cancers.”

Hank murmured, “So even if you act swiftly to remove it, it will still be challenging for me to live for five years…”

Johnson reassured him, “Now is not the time to dwell on that. The priority right now is to proceed with the surgery and remove it as soon as possible—the sooner, the better! Ideally, we should initiate preoperative examinations and preparations immediately and aim to perform the surgery within the next 48 hours.”

“48 hours?” Hank asked. “Why the delay?”

Johnson replied, “Many indicators must be tested before the surgery, and we can only operate once we have confirmation. The simplest test involves evaluating coagulation, and we have to check for any potential infectious diseases. Moreover, prior to surgery, the surgical team must discuss and finalize the operation plan. We need to ensure that everything is thoroughly confirmed before proceeding.”

After a long pause, Hank said, “Let’s go ahead with that. If you need to draw blood, do it quickly. We’ve already obtained the scans, so allow the doctors to start formulating the surgical plan. I have matters to attend to. I need to go to China and aim to return within 48 hours.”

Thinking Hank was still preoccupied with work, Johnson quickly responded, “Mr. Hank, given your current condition, you should remain in bed and focus on resting!”

“No!” Hank shot back, “I must go to China. If everything proceeds smoothly, I will return within 48 hours. You don’t need to schedule surgery for me yet—just arrange for another checkup. I might find a cure.”

“That’s impossible…” Johnson said firmly. “The overall medical standard in China is not on par with ours. Their doctors may excel in clinical experience, performing hundreds of similar surgeries annually, while our specialists conduct dozens. However, we still lead in theoretical foundations and the advancement of new treatments. No one in the world can compare to us.”

Hank waved his hand dismissively: “Let’s not discuss this further. You’ve stated that the medical capabilities in the United States are the best in the world, yet I only have a 10% chance of surviving for five years. Five years will pass in no time. You mean to tell me I should accept dying so soon? I will recover! I must fully recover!”

Johnson quickly responded, “Mr. Hank, a complete recovery isn’t an option! If pancreatic cancer isn’t addressed promptly and effectively, the average survival expectation drops to about six months!”

Hank retorted angrily, “I didn’t say there wouldn’t be an intervention; you said you need 48 hours to prepare. So, I will go to China first during that time. Regardless, I will be back within 48 hours!”