Has anyone been able to have surgery for tumor in the tail?

I too have stents because of pressure on the ureter; have had one replacement surgery and another is scheduled for October after 4 months from the last one. As reported before, I am 84 yrs old, had the Whipple 16 months ago and radiation this July for the "mass" blocking the ureter. No more chemo (my choice mostly) but I will line up for the pin point radiation in the event of a new potential metastatic tumor (if my doctors agree that's an option). At my age, every good day matters and I am enjoying them as I feel normal. I have blood work and a cat scan every 3 months--always a tense time.
Sounds like a sensible and caring suggestion to spread out the treatments.

I’m sorry to hear that surgery is not an option for your husband. But it sounds like you’re on the right track with his care plan and my prayers are with you both that he gets into the trial in January.

My husband had ⅔ of his pancreas (the tail end) removed about 10 months ago. The recovery from surgery was long and slow. His lymph nodes and the surrounding tissues and organs were not infected. There was a debate later about whether the cancer had metastasized to the liver and the abdominal bed where the resected part of the pancreas used to be - the jury is still out.
He was on Folfirinox for 1-½ months and markers kept climbing. Side effects were also terrible - from nausea to loss of appetite. He switched to Gem-Abraxane with a new oncolologist and he took very well to it. Only major side effect is fatigue and some depression. Hair grew back and CA-19 markers dropped to normal range and stayed stable with minor fluctuations. He has been on this regime for 8 months now and oncologist is not stopping.
We believe in prayer but we also believe in taking action and using medical science to "heal". It is very comforting to read in this support group the names of all the drugs, and the stories that are so familiar. I hope your husband got his surgery because we sought several opinions and surgery followed by chemo was the way to go.

My husband has a PET/CT Scan Nov 1. They think he might have 2 different types of cancer. He had his kidney stint replaced a week ago, and the urologist thinks he has 2 different cancers because he found a small tumor in the bladder, which he burned off. We're not sure what that will do. I guess we wait for more info from the scan on Friday.
Thanks for the replies everyone. It helps to read what others are doing with their situations.

Folfirinox is the 'gold standard' for treating pancreatic cancer. The surgeon who operated on my husband has a different prognosis from the oncologist treating my husband - that is what makes it so difficult for us. We recognise cancer is unpredictable. However, the oncologist says there is Plan A, Plan B, C and D in treating the cancer. You need a good oncologist to guide you and your husband. Seek more opinions and learn; you need not change oncologists. The more you ask, the more you know and it helps in the cancer journey with your husband.

Hello @joiedevivre and welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate you sharing your husband's experience with pancreatic cancer. You both have obviously done all that you can in seeking more opinions, learning about this cancer and finding a good oncologist. These are great ways to advocate for your medical care. When you say, "The more you ask, the more you know..." you have put yourself on a good path.

How is your husband feeling these days?

My husband was diagnosed in Nov 2023. He had robotic surgery in Dec to remove 2/3 pancreas, spleen & about 30 lymph nodes. 2 came back positive. Tumor was 3.8 cm. Stage 2B Has since had 12 rounds of chemo & is currently stable.
Hang in there & prayers!

I had a 5.5 cm tumor on tail. Doctors at Sloan initially thought was precancerous. My surgeon removed 40% of pancreas tail, 23 lymph nodes, spleen and gallbladder in May 2024. Pathology showed 1.5 cm was cancerous along with 1 lymph node. It could be that the tumor had invaded blood vessels or arteries. I would seek a second opinion. The surgeon you choose is vitally important. My surgeon at MSKCC does over 35 pancreas and 100 liver surgeries a year and MSKCC is a PanCan specialty hospital. I would seek that second opinion asap. As far as treatment my surgery was successful, completing 11 rounds of adjuvant chemo, 4 more to go. I’ve had 2 post surgery CT scans which are clear. Good
Luck to you!

I would get hiccups also a day or so after treatment. I was prescribed Baclofen and it worked well for me.

I would also do cryotherapy during treatment to help prevent or hold off neuropathy. I would wrap my hands and feet in ice packs during the administration of Oxaliplatin. I picked up some special hand and feet "gloves" on Amazon. It seemed to work until about treatment #9 or so. Then I got neuropathy in my hands and feet.

I would proactively take Compazine and had no nausea. I don't think you can avoid some form of diarrhea as the cells shed and die.

I am hopeful for you and your spouse that the cancer responds well to the treatment.

Hello. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2023 Stage 2B and had surgery in September 2023 a Distal pancretectomy, removing half my pancreas (tail) and spleen. The surgery was successful with clean edges however, the pancreatic cancer had metastasized to my liver Reclassed as stage 4. In November 2023 I started 12 rounds of chemotherapy Gemcitibine and cisplatin (platinum) and completed in March 2024. There were three Tumors on my liver and after chemo, one was not detectable, and the others had shrunk over 50%. I do genetic testing Revealing the BRCA2 so I am now on a PARP Inhibitor Lynparza. I did consult with my surgeon and he recommended Ablation for the remaining tumors however a Pre surgery MRI revealed 10 tumors < 1cm On my liver, so the ablation is not possible at this time as it’s limited to three tumors. I am eating well, exercising daily and for the most part sleeping ok. My major complaints are I’m cold all the time and have moderate fatigue. I’m staying in the fight And staying strong.