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Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (1171)Comment receiving replies
Hi. My father was diagnosed with Stage III pancreatic cancer at the end of January. He was told by local doctors that his tumor is inoperable because it is around a major artery. He has been recommended to start chemo to see if tumor will shrink. He currently lives in Charlotte,NC. I would like to get a second opinion. What are the steps I need to take to get a second opinion from Mayo. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Replies to "Hi. My father was diagnosed with Stage III pancreatic cancer at the end of January. He..."
His local doctors might be correct, but if I had accepted my local doctors similar prognosis I would not be writing this. My tumor also was wrapped (slightly less than halfway) around an artery. Sometimes, as in my case, the local surgeons say it is inoperable because they do not have the skill, training or staff to perform the operation. I searched the internet for answers and found Mayo illustrated on their web site how an "arterial resection" was sometimes performed on tumors located on arteries. I went to Jacksonville for a second opinion and was advised my tumor was in fact operable by either of two surgeons there who perform this type surgery. I received five chemo treatments of Gemzar (gemcitabine) and Abraxane prior to surgery. Upon having an MRI done a day before surgery it was discovered that the tumor had almost miraculously broken up and arterial resection was not necessary. The Whipple was performed as scheduled and I was out of the clinic hospital unit in six days. The point is , however that the surgeon was capable of and originally planned to do an arterial resection. The local Oncologists and surgeon did not inform me that there were surgeons elsewhere who do in fact have the skill and facilities to perform arterial resections in some cases. I am currently three weeks from being a two year survivor.
If at all possible, I would strongly urge that your father get a second opinion at a renowned clinic such as Mayo. It is a very simple procedure. You do not have to have a doctor referral at Mayo. You are treated like family at Mayo, not just a statistic. Sorry for the length of this post, but I cannot over-emphasize the importance of having a second opinion from a qualified specialist in something that is this life-threatening.
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@marvinjsturing, I'll be interested to hear what the radiologist has to offer.
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @alkat and @mpatel23. @alkat, you can get call Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion. Here is the contact information for all 3 locations http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 Mayo in Jacksonville, Florida may be you most convenient location. @alkat and Marvin can tell you about their experiences with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Alkat, I hope you are eligible for the Whipple procedure. You can find out more about it in these discussions:
- Pancreatic cancer—Whipple procedure https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cancer-whipple-procedure/
- Whipple procedure and follow up chemo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/whipple-procedure-and-follow-up-chemo/
MPatel, Marvin's tumor is also inoperable due to the wrapping of arteries. It is hard news to get. You may be interested in this discussion:
- Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer: What treatment options are there? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cancer-3/