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Advanced Pancreatic Cancer w/ Liver Metastasis
My husband, 47, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2025. After biopsy, the cancer was classified as adenosquamous carcinoma. He also received genetic testing which shows KRAS G12A Germline FANCM mutation. He underwent resection surgery to remove the tail of the pancreas, spleen, some surrounding tissue & lymph nodes in the area. 6 weeks post op, he started his first regimen of chemotherapy. In September of 2025, a CT scan showed 2 lesions on the liver. Biopsy indicated these lesions metastasized from the pancreas. He was put on a different chemo regimen starting in November.
On January 30, 2026, chemotherapy was discontinued after a CT scan showed the lesions were growing. After a brief break, radiation was started on the liver in hopes to shrink the lesions & prevent further spread. Tomorrow, March 13, 2026, will be his last radiation session. He will then get a break for 3 months until another scan can be performed.
With the proven aggressiveness of this type of cancer, 3 months sounds like an awfully long time to wait. I understand there does have to be some time for the liver to heal so they can see if the radiation is effective. Has anyone ever had this diagnosis before? Has anyone dealt with clinical trials & found them to be effective?
I am terrified for not only my husband, but for myself & our children. It's been a very tough year for all of us. If anyone has any information or advice to share, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
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So sorry for your plight! You may want to review this thread on this site which speaks specifically to clinical trials. There are other threads too. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/clinical-trials-1/
My wife's cancer has not metastasized yet but we are also researching clinical trials and I have found these threads helpful. But navigating clinical trials is tough and confusing. Many helpful people here have posted good advice. Good luck to you and your husband!
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3 ReactionsIf you’re looking for a clinical trial, TRICAN (Translational Research Initiative for Pancreatic Cancer) has a helpful, easy-to-use list of pancreatic cancer trials in plain English. It can make it much easier to see what studies are available and where they’re being offered.
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6 Reactions@mrsb98, I'd like to introduce you to fellow members like @vannkraken @stageivsurvivor @gracect @mnewland99, who are familiar with liver metastasis. I think you might also like to connect with @williebadger, whose 45-year old husband has a similar diagnosis. They, too, have young children.
@mrsb98, this is a frightening time for you and your family. May I ask how old your children are? Do you have an oncology social worker as part of your cancer team supporting you, your husband, and your family?
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3 Reactions@mcharlesfrancis The web address for the clinical trial finder is TriCanHealth.com
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3 ReactionsIf you use FaceBook, join KRAS Kickers. It has information on every clinical trial for G12A.
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2 ReactionsMy husband never had surgery because it had already metastasized to the liver with many lesions. But he had radiation to kill the tumor in the pancreas in February of 2025 and started chemotherapy again 6 weeks later. 3 months sounds awfully long. Many of his lesions seem to be dead now.
I would get a second opinion on that.
He is still doing very well on the Gemcitabine and Abraxane. It’s almost 4 years now. Keep the hope and fight for answers.
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3 ReactionsI would highly recommend a social worker/family therapist if you have access to that resource.
My girls were 16 and 18 when my wife was diagnosed with Stage IV disease. Due to life’s busyness and things rapidly advancing now, we are going to try to get some appointments as part of the hospice process that my wife entered last week.
My older daughter has withdrawn a bit as things have gotten worse and she’s not real receptive to me bringing the realities up right now. I think a third party might be very helpful as a guide/mediator.
Best of luck for your family in this journey. New treatment breakthroughs are coming in the near future. My wife participated in two clinical trials, but it was just a bit too early stage for us.
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4 ReactionsWhat a tough travel you've all had. Just a question. Did he have the spreading starting before or only after the surgery? Assuming after. A fear of ours. Is there any medical statistics on cancer spreading due to opening up for surgery. This is what's stressful in deciding quality of life decisions. Preying for you & yours.
@gracect 4 years is a blessing. Keep strong.
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