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Nanoknife for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Apr 18 8:11pm | Replies (19)

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@layla97

Hi ncteacher,
Just wondering where you are receiving treatment. My sister is at MSK and had 12 rounds of Folfirinox with considerable tumor shrinkage, now on oral capecitabine. Also not a candidate for surgery (Stage IV with vessel involvement) . She is enjoying being able to eat again and expressed tears of joy to be able to taste her food.
She does have some neuropathy and I question why her onco has discontinued her infusions other than the fact that "standard of care" is 12 rounds Folfirnox, and her feeling so ill after treatment every 2 weeks. Did the elimination of oxaliplatin result in better quality of life between treatments as well as decreased neuropathy?
I thank you and every contributor here and wishing all of you the best of luck in your journey.

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Replies to "Hi ncteacher, Just wondering where you are receiving treatment. My sister is at MSK and had..."

I am under care at Atrium Health Levine Cancer. My oncologist's training includes work at Mayo and MD Anderson; the cancer center director is also Mayo trained. This place is growing fast; it has the only proton beam therapy in the Carolinas. Brand new. It's connected with Wake Forest Cancer Center and the med school there.

Re the oxaliplatin, my oncologist said it used to be standard to administer it for at least 12 cycles, but he preferred to stop after 8 because otherwise it could cause extreme neuropathy. He told me, basically, "I'm sure I crippled people early in my career." I am fortunate that except for cycle 1, which was rough, I really haven't struggled with chemo side effects. We continue to get good results, which is why we're continuing chemo. It tires me out for three days or so, and then I'm pretty much back to normal. I am walking most days, doing some at-home volunteer work, working as a "reading buddy" at our local library, and other activities. Again, I am fortunate, and I realize that.

@waltsocal , the reason I inquired whether the OP's husband had asked why chemo would stop after 12 rounds and whether a bone-marrow booster had been administered is also why I mentioned my conversation with my palliative MD. There seem to be so many variations on treatment for pancreatic cancer. I know there are many people on this board who've stopped chemo after 12 and are comfortable with that decision. I know there are many other people on this board who have continued beyond the standard 12 and are comfortable with that. Others are looking at clinical trials, radiation, different types of surgery...you name it. It truly is an individual prescription and an individual decision. That's what makes this so tricky. I would not presume to advise or suggest or insist that anyone do anything I mention in a post. That's why I asked whether they'd asked. Nothing more. I apologize if that wasn't clear. I think I'll stop posting for a while. Thanks, all.