Exploring options for inoperable pancreatic cancer

Hello @margaretrivers, welcome to Connect.

I would like to invite @dianembh and @sucante who have discussed having pancreatic cancer on Connect and may be able to give you some insight in to their experiences. I would also like to invite @gailb, whose mother passed away from pancreatic cancer to share her knowledge of pancreatic cancer.

@margaretrivers, it is great to hear that the scans show your tumor is stable and not spreading to other organs. If you don't mind sharing while we wait for others to join us, how are you doing with your chemotherapy treatment?

it's not stable anymore; the abd cat scan 2 weeks ago showed " a mild progression of the tumor "and the dr told us we need to consider other options which were many and I can't remember them all except radiation tx and oral cancer pills that have been researed but they don't know the long term effects.The've been gving me Gemzar and Abraane (I think). Dr says I'll have to stop the chemo if I start radiation tx Please invite the others mentioned. I';d like to know other options to consider. (Can one do a combination of chemo & radiation?)

I've been receiving chemo (Folfirinox/Folfiri) since last August. I will begin 5 radiosurgery treatments to the pancreas next week. My chemo oncologist wanted a two week break between the two treatments. So my last chemo was last week, and I will resume chemo on May 1.

Make sure you share your concerns with your oncologist. Best!

@margaretrivers How are you doing? Any news on the decisions you have to make regarding treatment? I'm looking forward to hearing from you. This is a challenging time and I want you to know you're not alone.

scheduled for PET scan in the a.m....have to have blood sugar below 150...My blood sugar has always been a problem; I'm afraid bs will be too high for test and they won't do the test

Hi @margaretrivers. Drink lots of water. They will test your glucose in the morning and if it's too high the will wait a bit and test again. Get some good rest before your appointment. Good luck!

@margaretrivers
I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As mentioned, my mother passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1993. There was no consideration at that time for medication, chemo or radiation. After an exploratory surgery, we were told her cancer had spread to her liver and portal vein, so there was no hope for recovery. She passed away 3 months after diagnosis.

My husband's cousin was diagnosed in November, 2017 with pancreatic cancer. I was certain it was a death sentence at the time. However, his doctors are very good and started him on chemotherapy right away. His cancer had spread to his liver and bone marrow, so it was quite serious. He's a fighter though, so he decided to do everything he could to fight it. He had just retired in August 2017, and wanted to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He has been undergoing chemotherapy at UC Irvine (California) for several months--6 sessions. He finished the chemo, and was just declared cancer free and in remission. We are so very happy for him.

I don't know anything about the medications he was given, but I do know they have worked at least for now for Tommy. I want to offer you hope in the advances that have been made in treatment since my mother's death. I will ask Tommy if he's is willing to join Mayo Connect and write about his experiences with pancreatic cancer. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how things are progressing with your PET scan. I'm hoping the very best for you.

Warm regards,
Gail
Volunteer Mentor

I have been diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable pancreatic cancer on the tail that has metastasized to my peritoneal cavity one month ago and do not have any symptoms. I will start round 2 of Folfirinox. I’m very healthy otherwise and exercise daily. I’m confused as I have no symptoms. Does anyone out there have any idea when I might start having some symptoms. Also is it true that 75 percent die within one year after diagnosed?

radiation tx to begin Monday 4/23

@margaretrivers

I appreciate the update. I will be thinking about you. How often will the radiation occur?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa