Pancreatic Cancer Q&A with Dr. Stauffer, Mayo Surgeon: May 29

Allow me to introduce you to Dr. John Stauffer, a hepatobiliary and pancreas surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Florida, one of the country's highest-volume surgical programs for advanced pancreatic cancer.

On Thursday, May 29 from 1:30-2:30pm ET, Dr. Stauffer will host a Q&A about surgical management of pancreatic cancer.

After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, many people have questions about treatment options, including surgical and nonsurgical approaches. You may also want to know how an integrated team – including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and gastroenterology specialists – works together to prevent further cancer complications and preserve your quality of life.

Please note that this hour-long Q&A is for informational purposes only, and any concerns you have should be addressed to your treating physician. If you would like to learn about pancreas cancer care at our integrated program in Florida, please visit this page for information.

Submit your questions in advance in the comments below and Dr. Stauffer will reply during the hour-long Q&A event. See you back here on May 29.

Go ahead, ask away!

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

I have been diagnosed with 40 and 50 cm duodenal adenoma with focal high grade dysplasia after an egd with emr on April 23 where the local doctor was unable to extract them. Surgeon locally recommended Whipple within 3 weeks. Went to Mayo in Rochester for a second opinion and am scheduled for another EMR with Mayo doctor on June 24. I'm hoping it is successful, but if not, are there any options other than the Whipple? If successful but cancer is found, is Whipple still the recommendation?

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@kerrylc

@margaretpaluch I think you said you're in Chicago? Rush University Medical Center is a PCAN Center of Excellence you might want to go to for a second opinion. I know everyone is different, but I have the same diagnosis, and I'm not giving up hope. All the best to you and your husband.
Kerry

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We did have a second opinion at Mayo. We need to see how he will respond to the chemotherapy (confirmed by other doctors that this treatment is good for him) we will see a specialist at Rush.

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@margaretpaluch

45 year old male(husband)$ diagnosed with Pcan. Stage IV, metastatic to lungs and liver. Starting chemo treatments may 30(nalirifox) I have no hopes. His doctor said hes not a candidate for a surgery. It feels like doctors already put an expiration date on him.

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Find an onco who will fight this disease with you both.

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@margaretpaluch

45 year old male(husband)$ diagnosed with Pcan. Stage IV, metastatic to lungs and liver. Starting chemo treatments may 30(nalirifox) I have no hopes. His doctor said hes not a candidate for a surgery. It feels like doctors already put an expiration date on him.

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Time to change doctors. Don’t take no for an answer!

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@margaretpaluch

45 year old male(husband)$ diagnosed with Pcan. Stage IV, metastatic to lungs and liver. Starting chemo treatments may 30(nalirifox) I have no hopes. His doctor said hes not a candidate for a surgery. It feels like doctors already put an expiration date on him.

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Oncologists always say no it seems. Next step-see a noted surgeon who deals with liver/pancreas in high volume. Surgery is probably not the immediate answer, but they can tell you what the goals for him will be to get to surgery. I was dx stage IV 11/2021 and sought multiple opinions until I found someone that gave me goals and hope to go after them! Then I buckled up, sucked it up, and did the chemo regimen to shrink tumors.
Help him be as healthy and strong as possible, then go fight this!

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Was wondering your thoughts/opinion on recent articles suggesting the use of Ivermectin and Fenbendazole in cancer therapy. Thank you for taking the time to respond to all our inquiries, much appreciated.

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@margaretpaluch

45 year old male(husband)$ diagnosed with Pcan. Stage IV, metastatic to lungs and liver. Starting chemo treatments may 30(nalirifox) I have no hopes. His doctor said hes not a candidate for a surgery. It feels like doctors already put an expiration date on him.

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I was diagnosed with Pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Stage IV, metastasis to lungs and have had 70 treatments of gemcitabine & Abraxane since July 22, 2022. I was given 11 months at the end of June 2022 & told to find a local oncologist by Mayo. I am still here! So, there is hope! I am not a candidate for surgery according to Mayo. I do not know my expiration date, none of us do. I always ask for prayers when someone wants to do something for me.

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You are a survivor. Make the most of every day

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@199

I was diagnosed with Pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Stage IV, metastasis to lungs and have had 70 treatments of gemcitabine & Abraxane since July 22, 2022. I was given 11 months at the end of June 2022 & told to find a local oncologist by Mayo. I am still here! So, there is hope! I am not a candidate for surgery according to Mayo. I do not know my expiration date, none of us do. I always ask for prayers when someone wants to do something for me.

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199, was your pancreatic cancer acinar cell or ductal cell? Thank you your time.

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I am 57 years old with stage 4 adenocarcinoma diagnosed 10/24. Started standard of care 11/24 and switched to a clinical trial 2/2025. I have 2 questions:
1. Does procedures outside the standard of care disqualify you from clinical trials?
2. I have vein involvement with primary tumor(pancreas). Would I be a possible candidate for your non-invasive procedure?

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