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Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: May 14 9:01am | Replies (2316)Comment receiving replies
My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer quite by accident in November 2024. The first sign of anything amiss was a severe spike in his A1C in October, along with a sudden diabetes diagnosis. He'd been losing weight without even trying, as well. In hindsight his doctors missed that marker of pancreatic cancer. He had an annual follow-up CT for a kidney cyst (benign) and the radiologist found the pancreas tumor(s). He was referred for an EUS biopsy (PET, other tests) that confirmed the cancer was active. He had 8 rounds of chemo, then surgery, then 4 more chemo. Scans after that showed no recurrence, and CA19-9 (normal scale 0-37) score dropped to 4.86. That was August 2025. November scan was clear, but CA19-9 had gone up to 21.56. Dr was unconcerned. February scan showed some new lung nodules (with a couple that had grown since the November scan). What? Radiology report said 'metastatic disease'. We brought this up to the dr but she didn't think it was worrisome. I (wife) pushed further until dr scheduled a PET scan. Pet showed lymph node activity in addition to small lung node. Latest CA19-9 is 37.67. Clearly something is lurking. Stay tuned. I am already exhausted and my husband is very concerned.
Replies to "My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer quite by accident in November 2024. The first sign..."
@ivy1951
You are at a crossroads. We often are with this cancer. Have you scheduled a second opinion?
As much as we may love/respect our physicians, we must always look for a second opinion.
@ivy1951
Hi, feel like we are going through something very similar. My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer July 2023, had an emergency whipple in Sept and the started chemo in Nov 2023 Folforinox. Did well until May 2025 when a small nodule was seen in his lung. Fast forward to Feb 2026, he now has a pleural effusion due to lung nodules and is scheduled to start chemo again in a week with Gem and abraxane.
We are trying to remain as hopeful as possible that this will treatment will help with the nodules.
Hopeful that thi
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@ivy1951 Hello, Have felt similar confusion and concern with diagnostic test results and the worry of returning cancer from abnormal CT impressions from radiology that oncologist interpret differently. What stage did your husband’s Oncologist give after surgery? Were any lymph nodes positive from his surgery? From all the tests my husband has had it seems the oncologist and surgeon opinion is what we follow as many factors go in to how the tests are interpreted. Keep in mind seeking a second opinion can be helpful if you have concerns. Don’t hesitate to reach back out to your doctors if you have more questions, that is what they’re there for. We are lucky our son goes to visits with us at times and takes notes. We also bring a list of concerns and questions, which helps keep us on track. Keep in mind the oncologist have the “full” picture with their experience to interpret results and radiologist only “interpret” what they think they see with in the image and possibly prior images they also seem to read and interpret those images with a worst case possible and the test themselves also have limitations. I hope you can get more information and answers soon. Sending you positive thoughts and peace.