Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

@casey1959, @tomrennie I well understand the heartache you are both experiencing. Going through this with a long term partner is heartbreaking, overwhelming, traumatizing, and life shattering. I hope you both find the strength you need to get through each day and to find joy in the little things to keep you going. Those small moments mean more than I can say. Strength, comfort, and peace to both of you.

@tomrennie
Hi Tom,
I met with an/my oncologist yesterday with news that I was not expecting. He told me that I have stage IV pancreatic cancer. The cancer in the liver was caused by pancreatic cells. I believe that I will be starting chemo therapy on Tuesday, April 21 until October. Each therapy takes about 90 minutes. There are three weeks of chemo and then one week off, then it keeps repeating.
The cancer is incurable and also inoperable. I am not sure of radiation. I will ask my doctor.
Thank you mayo Clinic Support Group! You are very helpful
Exercise is good and I see a nutritionist on Monday. I also have a CT scan Monday to get a baseline. Right now I feel real good!

@gvk911 Hey Glenn. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It's a tough one to get and process. I know, because I got the same one. It is great that treatment is happening sooner rather than later. I do have a few basic question, before we dive in to things a little deeper.
- Your pancreas is the location of the cancer, but do you know specifically what type of cancer you have? Adenocarcinoma is about 90% of all pancreatic cancers. The type of pancreatic cancer usually determines treatment.
- What type of chemo with you be getting?
- You stated previously that the pancreatic tumor is 2cm. This is still the case correct?
- How impacted is your liver? For example, my scan results stated that I had innumerable lesions.
- Does the cancer impact any of the plumbing around your pancreas and liver? For example, my pancreatic tumor and liver lesions were growing into nearby veins. Since you are feeling good at the moment, I am optimistic that the answer is no.

That should give us a good starting point for more detailed conversations moving forward. Your CT or MRI report should provide the information to answer the above questions. The first two are the most important. If the answers to the other questions aren't easily understandable from the reports, the jargon can be quite a challenge, don't worry about it. Let me know ok?

@gvk911
Many, like myself, received same diagnosis. Sometimes they leave out an important word…” it is inoperable…NOW”. Chemo can work to shrink and even kill tumors, or make them necrotic. When that occurs, surgery will be considered. Focus on being as healthy as possible now, so the chemo, and make sure all trends are being watched closely. If this one isn’t working, switch! In talking to many patients, it does seem doctors give us the grimmest news first .
Be strong, and have hope!

@gvk911 I too have stage IV. That will be 4 years at the end of June. You can make it. You don't say what chemo you will be getting; sounds like gemcitabine and Abraxane. You don't say how old you are, but if you have trouble tolerating 3 on and 1 off, try 2 on and 1 off. My oncologist said the 2/1 was better tolerated. I had 85 total chemo treatments. Right now, I am on a break. I do not recommend doing 40+ chemo treatments then a break. Too rough on the body! 🙂 But, hey, I am still here at 76 & planning on more years with God's help!

@tomrennie
Hi Tom,

The liver cancer that I have is

"Final Diagnosis
Liver Mass Needle Biopsy:
- Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma favour metastasis from an upper GI/pancreatobiliary origin
- See micro
Electronically signed by Shaun Arthur Copley Medlicott, MD on 31/03/2026 at 13:07 MDT
Microscopic Description
Excellent sampling of liver has captured gland forming adenocarcinoma with goblet cell and signet ring cell morphology effacing portions of otherwise relatively normal liver parenchyma. The presence of goblet cells may correlate with intestinal differentiation of the tumour. However, morphology of carcinoma is relatively generic.

Given the presence of a new pancreatic mass causing duct stricture and a tumour immunophenotype refuting prostate and colon primary origins, a pancreaticobiliary/upper GI tumour derivation is the preferred diagnostic scenario.

It should be noted that histology data, in isolation, cannot exclude other primary tumour sites such as lung, salivary gland/breast neoplasia."

The pancreatic cancer that I have is

"Clinical Information
2cm solid mass in pancreas body with distal duct dilation; also multiple liver lesions.
Pancreatic mass
Final Diagnosis
A. Pancreatic biopsies:
- Adenocarcinoma consistent with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma."

I do not know what all this means but my oncologist told me that the liver has pancreatic markers. Right now, I do not have plumbing issues, however, I also have prostate cancer.

The chemo that I am taking are Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel NAB. Starting April 21 the treatments are every week for three weeks and then one week off and then it repeats.

After some reading, I did realize that most pancreatic cancers are found late and therefore they are at stage IV.

I will find out whether the tumour shrinks and see what happens.

I have a CT scan tomorrow. This will be for a baseline.

One of my nephews sent me a couple of links on other treatments, but I am not sure of them. My daughter suggested that I get a second opinion. I will call my GP next week.

Take care,
Glenn

Hi. I’m Lynn. I don’t have a Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis at this moment but almost everyone in my maternal line going back that I am aware of died of this cancer. Reading the messages you all have submitted makes me hopeful and less anxious. I have already had endometrial cancer and been treated for it, so I have some experience with cancer. But pancreatic cancer is different and makes me more anxious.

Today 3/13 day after our 51st wedding anniversary my husband is receiving the Whipple. Wasn't what he was planning on. Yet he decided to move forward with this journey. I'm so great full to this group. I'll keep you all in our prayers & asking for the same today & beyond. This will be a stressful long wait in the waiting area. We're a team & I'll be positive .

@lynnlevine
Early detection clinics are beginning to appear. There is not a “take home” early detection packet but you will certainly qualify at a clinic to be carefully surveilled. They will offer genetic testing and molecular testing to determine if you have mutations. I would strongly suggest you enroll in one of these. Stage 1 and 1B patients most often have very good survival statistics!!

@gvk911 I wouldn't be surprised if your prostate cancer is related. About 90% of prostate cancer diagnoses are also adenocarcinoma. Good luck with your CT scan today. Let us know how it goes? I have a different type of pancreatic cancer. I have not been on Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane), but others here have. There are some ways to help manage the side effects of the treatment. Anyone that has experience with this treatment, do you have any suggestions? Thanks.