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I'm back: increasing CA19-9 was accurate indicator of recurrence.

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (42)
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@mrgolfer326

My cancer was discovered Jan.17,2024 and had Whipple at MSk in NYC on2/29/24.Cancer was 2mm on the head of pancreas. Took six months to recover and started Chemo in Sept2024. I had eight rounds of Chemo until 12/11/24. Then had an MRI and Ct scan in early Jan2025
In April had a Pet scan with no sign of tumor. I also had a Signatera blood test April 15 which showed Positive of MtMml 0.12 . ( negative is Mtml 0.00 ) My CA 19-9 has gone up to 605 on May23th.
I 'm told now the only test that matters is the Pet scan which I will have every 8-12 weeks. I want to be proactive. My question is : which test is more reliable and have others experienced this situation. My Oncologist keeps talking about Chemo as if that's the only solution. My feeling is without a tumor do I need really chemo ?

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Replies to "My cancer was discovered Jan.17,2024 and had Whipple at MSk in NYC on2/29/24.Cancer was 2mm on..."
gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | 6 days ago

PET scans certainly can find activity. But an MRI with and without contrast seems to be the tool to look at liver, which is where this thing tends to metastasize first. I understand the desire to get you in chemo to hopefully slow or stamp out whatever is trying to grow.

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joiedevivre | @joiedevivre | 6 days ago

My husband has been on chemo since Feb 2024. The onco says it is because the cancer cells may be lying dormant and the chemo is to control and prevent them from becoming active. PET scans since May 2024 had not picked up any tumour or cancer activity but onco said to continue with chemo.
However, at a recent PET scan a week ago, we discovered activity at the surgical bed. A PET scan and an MRI just 3 months before did not pick up this activity. So the guess is there is resistance to chemo now. We are looking at radiotherapy for these 2 small spots of activity. After that, it is back to chemo - spaced out to twice a month instead of 3 times a month.

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