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Are you eligible for surgery with vascular involvement?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Jun 29, 2023 | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
k13,
I posted this previously - and, it relates not just to Mayo but given any center with the same capabilities.
If you have the ability to do so, once you have been accepted and understand the recommended treatment plan, and assuming you are not local to the center, and assuming it is something like the usual neoadjuvant approach ... relocate to that center. Move there and remain until your outcome is known. The lab work is better, the chemotherapy is better, the radiation treatments are better, the turnaround on information and modifications to treater is shorter, the pre/post op surgical care is better - the care is better because the people are better trained, deal specifically in pancreatic cancer. In summary, IMO, is that you have a better chance of survival.
My sister did not do this - and, while I don't know if it made a difference, I would have pushed much harder for this approach. As I noted previously, though, she was adamant about visiting the center, then returning home so she could be with her cats.
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thank you all for responses. I am at a major cancer center- Dana Farber/Boston. And yes, I agree with everything you said--the resources at Dana are way better than what I experienced at the local hospital (during the two stays my husband had there for infection and original stent placement.) We were told surgery was not an option, and he's done chemo (unsuccessful) and now radiation at Dana. I am also going to talk to Sloan Kettering in two weeks about their opinion as well as their clinical trials. We sought a second opinion there in May, at suggestion of Dana Farber Dr, and next week we have follow up call. I guess I always wonder if surgery could be an option, but maybe I am dreaming, and not being a realist.
All the clinical trials seem so specific and there don't seem to be many that he can qualify for. He does not have BRAC gene, but does have the KRAS gene. I've found a few possible trials and will discuss w our Dana Dr tomorrow and then also with Sloan dr. Our dr does not seem to be very helpful on the clinical trials. He has "poohed poohed" most of the ones I show him......