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I'm back: increasing CA19-9 was accurate indicator of recurrence.
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
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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Thanks for your reply. It helped. My surgeon who is at MSK in NYC told me unless you have a tumor no need to get chemo . If we find a tumor then go with radiotherapy then we will discus chemo which is so hard on the body. What is your experience with Signatera blood test and CA-19-9 as an indicator of where your cancer is going. My onco tells me the same thing about chemo however the 5-6 month break was good for me and my wife. I think the surgeon gave me the best advice and if I need chemo I'm stronger and better prepared. Thanks again.
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I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s PET scan activity. I’m in the same position; new, small activity. I’ve just been on gemzar the last 5 months and apparently by itself, it’s not effective enough to stop cancer. Naliri should be my next move, but it can exacerbate existing conditions of interstitial lung disease (ILD) of which I do have and use an inhaler 2x per day. I might need to add abraxane to the gemzar again with its wonderful gifts of neuropathy and hair loss. I almost lost my ability to walk and drive due to abraxane so I’m not excited about it. I also plan to get MRI radiation again on my new liver lesion, but my oncologist says I need a systemic treatment (chemo), as well. If you say your husband’s chemo is wearing down, which new chemo will he try? Hoping the best for both from across the continent!