Connect
← Return to Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Discussion
Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (2398)Comment receiving replies
Hi my name is Mary. Most important, God Bless you all and thanks for any feedback, thoughts, encouragement to come 🙂
My partner Lynne was diagnosed with PC July 2025. The tumor was local (@ 3.0 cm), no metastasis then or now (latest PET in 3/26 showed no spread). Could not have surgery immediately due to arterial involvement/proximity. She had 7 Fulfurinox treatments July - Nov 2025. Then targeted MRI radiation (5 days). Consultation with surgeon at Miami Cancer Center (Dr. Asbun). Tumor shrunk somewhat, but Unfortunately determined not enough for surgery to move forward now. So currently in 2nd round of fulfurinox (5 treatments). Early June will have scan and reassess.
Live in Southeast Florida/Boca Raton
Wondering if we're doing the right thing, seems to be right at this point, but hearing a lot about new trials and treatments (MRNA, KRAS, Optune Pak, etc); gets ones head spinning. Often struggle with whether to move to Mayo, Sloan, or Dana Farber at some point (we have Boston/MA roots.)
Thoughts/feedback welcome, thanks again!
Mary
Replies to "Hi my name is Mary. Most important, God Bless you all and thanks for any feedback,..."
@golfgirl1 hi I’m stage 3 unresectable tumor. I’m going to be trying the optune pac. My oncologist told me about it and ordered it. I went to MD Anderson for my second opinion prior ,just to see if anything else can be done. Ask about crybolation to. It was to risky for me unfortunately . But that’s 90% effective to. Good luck
@golfgirl1 Hi Mary, has anyone talked to you about the Nano-knife procedure? My tumor was on the head of pancreas with vein and artery involvement. After unsuccessful chemo (Gem/ brax), I had SBRT radiation without using metal markers. We were working towards the Nano-knife procedure which can be done without any damage to vein/artery if tumor could be down to 2 cm. or less. As it turned out, radiation shrank tumor enough to have the Whipple and so far, so good, but it's only been 4 months. Ask your doctor/s about Nano-knife if chemo doesn't work.
Prayers for you and Lynne.
Kathy
@golfgirl1
Hi Mary, sounds like you're path is going in right direction. I have "locally advanced" PC at head of pancreas diagnosed in January of this year. Cleveland Clinic (my 2nd opinion) recommended folfirinox for 6 cycles, then reassess. My 1st opinion wanted to do surgery first.
A recent CT showed minimal shrinkage so will continue with chemo thru at least May. They haven't given me a stage at this point. There's a lot of exciting new discoveries in TRIALS. But I understand you don't do a trial and standard therapy - it's one OR the other. So in my case, I'll go as far as I can with trying to shrink tumor thru chemo. If surgery is an option that is curative, then i'll take that path. If surgery not an option, then it's another path. Wish you both God's blessings and a good outcome. Maria
Connect
@golfgirl1 Hi Mary and welcome to Mayo Connect. Sorry to hear about the diagnosis and journey of your partner. If you have any doubt about your treatment, get a 2nd opinion. The worst thing that can happen is the confirmation of your current treatment plan. The peace of mind in knowing that you are on the best treatment path is worth it. Here is a link to get the process going at Mayo if you are interested. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
How are you folks doing overall? Any questions or concerns going unanswered at this point?