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

Posted by vlny2018 @vlny2018, Jul 3 12:08pm

Has anyone been able to have surgery for tumor in the tail of the pancreas, stage 4, metastasized to the lymph nodes. My husband's oncologist says that sugery isn't an option ever for him. Just chemo every two weeks until folfirinox doesn't work or becomes too toxic. Then some other chemo mix, then … Is this true? This is so discouraging. If the tumors shrink, can't they do more? My husband has had the cancer go into his lymph nodes close to his kidney and the pressure was closing the tube connecting to his bladder, and now has a stint in place to keep kidney function, which it has done.

We have an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester in August. My husband just had his 4th treatment and will be having a PET scan the end of July. Other than this, he has been extremely healthy, no bad habits, exercises everyday, and eats clean. This is just a huge punch in the gut, as I'm sure is everyone's experience.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

gsterle | @gsterle | 11 hours ago

Hello -

I am a 69-year-old male residing in Northeast Ohio and I am currently being treated for Acinar Pancreatic cancer at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Center.

My cancer journey begins in 2020 as I was treated for a leiomyosarcoma cancer on my left testicle. I had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in January of 2021 to successfully remove the cancer / testicle with clean edges and I continued with follow up CT scans every 6 months. The follow-up scans detected Acinar pancreatic cancer in August of ’23 with tumors on the tail of my pancreas.

I had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in September 2023, a tail distal pan to remove 1/2 my pancreas (tail) and spleen with clean edges. The cancer had metastasized to my liver (3 tumors detected).

Genetic testing revealed that I have the BRCA2 gene mutation. Note that my father and brother both passed from Pancreatic Cancer.

I started chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic in November 2023 - gemcitabine and cisplatin (platinum based) After 12 rounds of chemo completing in March of 2024, I responded well and the liver tumors shrinking to 1/2 their size.

I started 250MG x2 daily of the oral PARP inhibitor “Lynparza” which targets the BRCA2 mutation in May 2024 and the CT scans revealed tumor reduction with no spread or new tumors.

I met with my surgeon in October 2024 and discussed ablation for the remaining liver tumors (2). I had a pre-surgical MRI and unfortunately additional tumors have been detected on my liver. These tumors did not appear on the August 2023 MRI (prior to surgery) nor had they appeared on my regular 3-month CT scans. Based on the number of tumors present the ablation is no longer an available option.

It appears that the current Lynparza 250mg twice a day is no longer having a positive impact thus I will begin chemo (gem/cis) the week of December 7th 2024.

I am eating well, exercising daily, maintaining my weight (5”11” 185lbs) and sleeping well. My side effects are minimal, cold, fatigue, dry mouth and some joint/lower back pain.

My wife of 42 years has been my care-taker and soul-mate.

I am interested in any clinical trials available to address my Acinar Pancreatic Cancer (BRCA2) with liver mets.

Stay strong and fight 💪❤️🫶