Diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Tail Cancer: No Symptoms Yet

Hi Edder, and welcome to Connect.
I'd first like to introduce you to @margaretrivers who also just joined Connect. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016 and has had chemo. I'm hoping she can share her experiences with you. I'm also tagging @tammyp11 to bring her into the conversation.

You may wish to read these discussions on Connect:
– I have just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer http://mayocl.in/2f1IpVZ
– Pancreatic Cancer Stage IV http://mayocl.in/2kRV1Vl

It is great that you're in good shape. This can help with managing chemo. How was the cancer discovered?

Thank you so much Colleen. I went to a walk in clinic and was complaining of a tight chest. I ended up with 4 pulmonary edema. They found it on a CT.

Hello @edder

I would also like to welcome you to Connect. I hope that you are able to connect with some of the discussion groups that Colleen mentioned in her post above. There is so much that we can learn from others who have also had similar diagnoses.

I am glad that you are entering this phase of treatment in such good health. How often will you be having the chemo treatments?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

Teresa, I just started my first round of Folfirinox yesterday, had a few side effects but not bad. I’m stage 4 pancreatic cancer with metastatic peritoneal movement. I hope so much to get at least 2 years of life. I feel healthy otherwise. This is unresectable tail cancer.

@edder

I certainly will join you in your hope for a treatment that is successful for you.

It appears as if your symptoms were not extreme or unbearable at the time of diagnosis. Does you doctor anticipate that the treatment will make the tumors smaller and therefore reduce symptoms?

Teresa

Yes Teresa, we are hoping the chemo shrinks the tail tumor at 4.7 cm or maintains it size so I will not get celiac plexus pain. And hopefully will slow down the metastasis

@edder

That sounds like a good thing. I wasn't familiar with the term, celiac plexus pain, but I looked it up and see that it originates from the aorta in the abdomen - is that correct?

I hope that you have a strong support system in place to help you during this time of treatment.

I look forward to updates on your progress.

Teresa

That is correct on the plexus. Thanks so much. I will keep you posted, Ed

Hi, I have stage IV at the head of the pancreas with mets to the liver. I started on Folfirinox last August, and toned it down to Folfiri in January. The oxaliplatin portion of Folfirinox is known to cause neuropathy. We caught the neuropathy just as it set into my toes and fingers. (Please chat with your doc about this as it can become very serious if not caught early.)
The cancer, on Folfirinox/Folfiri, shrank from a two inch tumor in the pancreas and almost a couple dozen in the liver to a fuzzy haze in the pancreas and no tumors in the liver.
It was a tough battle, and it's not over.
All of my Mayo trained doctors have been really great. I've learned to share everything with them, and I think that has made a difference in my treatment.

Best to you! I'm glad you didn't suffer from too much pain as I know the awfulness of that pain.

Ed, I encourage you to read @nogginquest's story here:
- Pancreatic Cancer Stage IV and in partial remission https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cancer-stage-iv-and-in-partial-remission/

I hope the chemo isn't being too rough on you.