Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@californiazebra
My procedure was done "off label", in other words, not covered by insurance. Histotripsy for the pancreas is in a clinical trial in Barcelona, but it's a procedure that can be performed, just needs a surgeon trained in the procedure and with access to the equipment. My surgical oncologist is Dr. Mark Bloomston, with Lee Health, 239-343-7400. He's in Ft. Myers, FL. By his estimate, the tumor was shrunk by about 50%, and it's possible that what's left is dead.
The procedure took a little over an hour in the operating room. My tumor was large, 6.9 x 4.8 x 4.2 cm. Doc had to reposition the device for three separate applications; normally, it's only a single set up and the time in the operating room is closer to 45 minutes. Hardest part was the prep, much like prepping for a colonoscopy.
Hope this answers your questions.

@joealp1 It is so great to hear that you have had such a positive response! Thank you for sharing your experience. It gives hope to others. You mentioned paying for it. Can you share the ballpark cost?

@joealp1 That is a large tumor. Has the tumor affected the SMA or SMV (artery or vein)? I was curious if histotripsy could be used near the blood vessels.

@rosebella
Hi: The cost, I'm certain, will vary by location and the provider's status: for profit, non profit, etc. I had found a quote on line for histotripsy of the liver, around $17,000. So that was the number I had in mind when I expressed my interest. It was finally higher, but in that ballpark. Hope that helps.

@rosebella
My tumor did affect the SMA and SMV. My understanding is that the ultra sound target is precise, and they avoid the SMA and V. Subsequently there's some daylight emerging between what's left of the tumor and the SMV, and it's a continuing process.

@lhlawrence
I'm an 87 year old man, diagnosed in Feb. 2025 with adenocarcinoma in head of pancreas, non-resectable. I've been on chemo, gemcitabine and abraxane, since March, every 2 weeks, so far no metastasis. My surgical guy, Mark Bloomston, with Lee Health in southwest Florida, introduced me to two potential procedures for shrinkage of the tumor: nanoknife and histotripsy. The latter is non invasive, using high energy ultra sound to generate gas bubbles in the tumor that burst, destroying the tumor in the process. It's new for the pancreas, has been approved for use in the liver by the FCC. I had the histotripsy procedure done in December, as an outpatient, recovery a piece of cake, and significant impact on the tumor. Final results await the next scan, but Bloomston very pleased. Your doctors should be aware of these options, nanoknife has been around for a while. Histotripsy for the pancreas is new and wasn't covered by my insurance. Could be a problem. I've learned a lot from ChatGPT, recommend it as a surrogate doctor for general advice and options for discussion with the real gdoctors. Hope this helps.

@joealp1

Thank you for sharing your experience here. Did you have your scans done yet?

Hi - I was diagnosed due to an incidental CT chest exam on December 9th. It was a tail cancer. Adenocarcinoma. 4 cm. Two weeks later I had surgery to remove the tumor and my spleen. Robotic surgery. The CT abdomen exam before surgery showed no spread. 21 lymph nodes were tested post surgery with no cancer indicated. My CT 19-9 test pre surgery was 232, post surgery (two weeks after) it was 7.7. I was stage 1B. Post surgery recovery was good. All blood work normal. I just started chemo (FU-5 and others). Had first treatment on Feb 3, got Covid last week so 2nd one delayed until next week, then will be every two weeks after. 12 treatments in six months. Generally did well with first chemo. This week, back walking/working out 10,000 steps a day as I did pre cancer.