1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Anyone have proton therapy for pancreatic cancer?

Posted by steveron @steveron, Feb 17 5:26pm

just wondering if proton therapy would shrink/kill/destroy/obliterate a tumor on the head of the pancreas which impacts the nearby blood vessels

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 22 5:26pm

Hi @steveron, I believe @mamarina had proton beam therapy for pancreatice cancer.

Steve, is proton beam therapy being considered in your case to be used after surgery ot before surgery to shrink the pancreatic tumor? Or as a primary treatment because surgery is not an option?

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pattyoregon | @pattyoregon | Feb 23 4:27am

No I nevr heard of it, what is it?

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gregcsv | @gregcsv | Feb 23 5:29pm

Hi, I had three weeks of daily proton therapy in December at Mayo -Phoenix. It was paired with capcitabine/Xeloda twice per day. I was initially hesitant to try it, other treatments have beaten the heck out of me. My oncologist encouraged me to try, I am very glad that I followed her advice.

Easily tolerated, a little tiredness and minor upset stomach in days two and three…. By day four they disappeared. Strangely I began to feel physically better and emotionally happy over the weeks. Now two months later I continue to feel physically well and happy.

Actually the treatments got to be fun! Imagine a cancer treatment being fun! After months of G/A that made me very sick to have a treatment that didn’t was a blessing. The fun part was because of the staff at Mayo. When I arrived each day I was welcomed warmly, they had my favourite music playing, lots of friendly chit chat along with discussions that helped me better understand my cancer and the treatment.

A high point for me was the “Mayo Glow Club.” As a member you go behind the scenes to meet with one of the physicists on staff. They explain proton beams, how the beams are made, and how they are used. Best of all was visiting the incredible mammoth machinery... three stories high… that is utilized. More fun than any other field trip I’ve taken.

After the proton beam therapy there is a need to wait eight weeks to let any swelling diminish prior to scans.
Being a guy who wants to know now, and not to wait, it was an opportunity to learn patience. Now after the wait scans and a CA-19 test have been done. My results were positive… thanks be to God and Mayo.

I would complete the treatments again, but I was told during the therapy that it is a one time treatment.

If you Google hospitals that offer proton beam therapy you’ll find there is a very limited number. Here in the South West there are only three. One in Texas, one in Southern California and Mayo in Phoenix.

This has gotten lengthy. Sorry.
I would encourage anyone who is offered the therapy to give it a try. As I’ve noted above my experience was very positive. That is probably not everyone’s experience but it certainly was mine.

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1 reply
marienewland | @mnewland99 | Feb 25 8:23am
In reply to @gregcsv "Hi, I had three weeks of daily proton therapy in December at Mayo -Phoenix. It was..." + (show)
@gregcsv

Hi, I had three weeks of daily proton therapy in December at Mayo -Phoenix. It was paired with capcitabine/Xeloda twice per day. I was initially hesitant to try it, other treatments have beaten the heck out of me. My oncologist encouraged me to try, I am very glad that I followed her advice.

Easily tolerated, a little tiredness and minor upset stomach in days two and three…. By day four they disappeared. Strangely I began to feel physically better and emotionally happy over the weeks. Now two months later I continue to feel physically well and happy.

Actually the treatments got to be fun! Imagine a cancer treatment being fun! After months of G/A that made me very sick to have a treatment that didn’t was a blessing. The fun part was because of the staff at Mayo. When I arrived each day I was welcomed warmly, they had my favourite music playing, lots of friendly chit chat along with discussions that helped me better understand my cancer and the treatment.

A high point for me was the “Mayo Glow Club.” As a member you go behind the scenes to meet with one of the physicists on staff. They explain proton beams, how the beams are made, and how they are used. Best of all was visiting the incredible mammoth machinery... three stories high… that is utilized. More fun than any other field trip I’ve taken.

After the proton beam therapy there is a need to wait eight weeks to let any swelling diminish prior to scans.
Being a guy who wants to know now, and not to wait, it was an opportunity to learn patience. Now after the wait scans and a CA-19 test have been done. My results were positive… thanks be to God and Mayo.

I would complete the treatments again, but I was told during the therapy that it is a one time treatment.

If you Google hospitals that offer proton beam therapy you’ll find there is a very limited number. Here in the South West there are only three. One in Texas, one in Southern California and Mayo in Phoenix.

This has gotten lengthy. Sorry.
I would encourage anyone who is offered the therapy to give it a try. As I’ve noted above my experience was very positive. That is probably not everyone’s experience but it certainly was mine.

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Hello Gregcsv,
I remember when you first posted this info I did find a place in San Diego that does the proton therapy and I think you were getting it for a tumor rather than for lesions? I think it doesn’t work on lesions which is Whete I’m at now. I’m so happy to hear about your wonderful experience with this procedure as I’m currently undergoing the GAC chemo treatment and it’s more difficult than when I was stage 2 on Fulfirnox. Thank you for sharing your story!

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