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Pancreatic cancer: How do I decide which hospital is best?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Apr 11, 2023 | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
wow. Thank you so much for that encouraging response. We have decided to use Dana Farber and called for our first appointment yesterday. It's a two hour drive, but we plan to get an apartment in Boston; my 2 children live there, so we can be close to them as well a few days a week, which I hope will provide positive attitude/family time benefits for all.
We thought better to be around pancreatic specialists at DF --similar to the reasons you articulated above. The PET scan was done yesterday, and Hartford Dr called back yesterday to say it's not good- I haven't seen written report but he said it confirmed spread.
DF is recommending the Folfirinox which Dr. Singh called the more aggressive treatment. He said because my husband is younger (59) and in good health otherwise, he felt he could likely tolerate it. He didn't mention Leucovorin. Is that another type of chemo? He told us there were only two types of chemo. thanks.
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Sounds like a good decision going to DFCI as it is an NCI designated center of excellence in cancer treatment and has a noted cancer program with outstanding pancreatic oncologists.
Folfirinox is what I had and I was 55 at the time. I was in otherwise very good physical condition, continued with daily exercise and my work schedule throughout the treatment and tolerated it very well for the 24 months I was on it.
Folfirinox consists of Folinic Acid (FOL) also going by the product name Leucovorin which is a reduced form of Folic acid. It enhances the effects of the three drugs in the cocktail.
F= Fluorouricil (5-FU) which interrupts the DNA cell cycle at a specific point
IRIN= Irinotecan which is another drug interrupting the DNA cell cycle of the malignant cells at a different point in the cycle.
OX=Oxaliplatin is known as an alkylating agent and the drug combines to DNA strands preventing its repair and this interference contributes to cell death.
This multi-cocktail regimen is why it is very effective and still considered the “gold standard” for treatment despite other drugs that have been developed and approved after Folfirinox.