1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Finding a Whipple Expert

Posted by jrphil @jrphil, Feb 15, 2023

What resources are there that can provide information on surgeons who have performed Whipple procedures? You can find hospitals/center websites that claim high ratings or expertise, but to have actual data would be better for decision making. Currently limiting physician search to southeast US.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Feb 19, 2023

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org) is a large patient advocacy organization supporting patients and caregivers with free assistance and support in navigating pancreatic cancer care and treatment. They have an extensive data base on NCI designated centers of excellence in cancer treatment including ones with a pancreas program which will have a higher level of experience in surgery, oncology and clinical trials. PanCan.org will provide a list of name of highly experienced Whipple surgeons and pancreatic cancer oncologists by State or region from which one can review their level of experience and then set up a consult to ask specific questions. In addition to PanCan.org, LetsWinPC.org and the American Cancer Society in their section on pancreatic cancer provides a list of questions to ask the surgeon regarding the Whipple procedure and their expertise in performing it.

The Patient Central group at PanCan.org can be reached by calling 877.272.6226, M-F, 7:00 am-5:00 pm PT.

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mamarina | @mamarina | Feb 19, 2023
In reply to @gardenlady1116 "My family friend who is a surgeon went to his alma mater, John's Hopkins in Baltimore...." + (show)
@gardenlady1116

My family friend who is a surgeon went to his alma mater, John's Hopkins in Baltimore. Dr He did the surgery.

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Dr He is who I got a second opinion with. My odds werent the best as a stage 3 with smv issue
What stage was your dad?

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mamarina | @mamarina | Feb 19, 2023
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@jrphil I agree with @ colleenyoung. I know there are many good hospitals around the nation..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@jrphil I agree with @ colleenyoung. I know there are many good hospitals around the nation that perform Whipple surgeries. But it would be worth your while to check the Mayo Clinic. At the time I had my surgery 9 years ago, the surgeon I had (now retired) was rated as one of the best in the world. And the care I received after surgery was phenomenal. Even today, Mayo is noted for their advancements in treating pancreatic cancer patients.

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Wonderful news on 9 years What stage were you when you had surgery?

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1 reply
marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Feb 19, 2023
In reply to @mamarina "Wonderful news on 9 years What stage were you when you had surgery?" + (show)
@mamarina

Wonderful news on 9 years What stage were you when you had surgery?

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@mamarina I was stage 2b. Three years ago I found out that the cancer had come back in the surgery bed. Last week my local doctor told me he thought it had metastasized to my lungs. Heading back to Mayo for tests on Wednesday to find out if they see the same thing.

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1 reply
mamarina | @mamarina | Feb 19, 2023
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@mamarina I was stage 2b. Three years ago I found out that the cancer had come..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@mamarina I was stage 2b. Three years ago I found out that the cancer had come back in the surgery bed. Last week my local doctor told me he thought it had metastasized to my lungs. Heading back to Mayo for tests on Wednesday to find out if they see the same thing.

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Marvin its amazing youve come so far. I can only pray. I didnt have surgery tho but was told even if I did it comes back .. but its uplifting to know its still fightable.. i lost alot of weight when first DX last april in hospital so when i tried the folfirinox it almost killed me and landed me back in hospital so i switched to gemcetibine which I also didnt fair well but did shrink it
Then did the proton radiation since surgery wasnt a good option
When I had breast cancer 6 years ago I was in good shape and normal weight so tolerated the chemo. Im 4’11 weighed 102. Now I cant seem to get above 82 lbs , I have 2 stents which limit my food choices
Anyway prayers to you , you are an inspiration to us all

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jrphil | @jrphil | Feb 21, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jrphil, naturally, I'm going to recommend Mayo Clinic experts in pancreatic cancer care. To learn more,..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jrphil, naturally, I'm going to recommend Mayo Clinic experts in pancreatic cancer care. To learn more, you can call the appointment office here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Here's more info about pancreatic cancer care at Mayo https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20355431

Members like @dakotarunner @marvinjsturing @charliegolfrep @bb21 @tpw3845 share more in these related discussions:
– New diagnosis of early and small pancreatic cancer, Whipple at Mayo? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-diagnosis-of-early-and-small-pancreatic-cancer-whipple-at-mayo/
– Whipple procedure: What is the recovery like? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cancer-whipple-procedure/

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Thank you.

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