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Should I want more treatment after pancreatic nets with lymph nodes?
I had two 2 cm grade 2 (well-diff) NETs removed with a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. So, stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Before surgery, they thought that this would be all that was needed. Then, they found 3 of 12 lymph nodes were cancer as well. My oncologist said that there is about a 40% chance of it coming back in my liver or somewhere else. But, since surgery, I have had one scan and some tests but no chemo or anything.
I guess I am surprised that with that high of a chance of moving to stage 4, that I am not doing any adjuvant therapy, chemo or anything to try to kill some of the possible cancer cells.
Although my oncologist has dealt with quite a few NET patients, I am being referred to a specialist this month. Should I want something done to reduce that chance? Does anyone know what options there are? I just had an MRI last week, and I don’t have any actual tumors currently.
Thanks.
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Dr. Starr, recommended the monthly injections to start to slow or stop the growth and spread, I believe I have grade 2 I’m not sure, but I know since it metastasized it is considered stage 4. I also had diarrhea, but since I’ve been getting the shots that has diminished to almost normal now..Good luck on your decision I know how hard it is.. Never lose hope…
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3 ReactionsThanks for your reply. Did Dr Starr give you the option of having surgery? I was thinking that surgery was always the first step, but you seem to be doing so well without it. I really don’t want to have the surgery because I am underweight to begin with and I’m scared of low quality of life for the rest of my life. I’m 65 and having a hard time with this decision. I truly hope you continue to do well!
No surgeries were done prior to starting treatments. I believe due to the way this spreads, he recommended let’s slow and try to stop the spread and growth. I’m sure there are many other factors involved with the recommended treatments..
No surgery here either. When I started, the doctor said he tries to avoid surgery. I like how he thinks
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1 ReactionFrom the Mayo Clinic website. It is called adjuvant therapy. Chemo is a therapy used “when there is no evidence of cancer on MRIs and/or scans.”
“Adjuvant therapy is often used after primary treatments, such as surgery, to lessen the chance of your cancer coming back. Even if your surgery was successful at removing all visible cancer, microscopic bits of cancer sometimes remain and are undetectable with current methods.”
Adjuvant therapy: Treatment to keep cancer from returning
Understand your options before you decide whether adjuvant therapy is for you. Balance the side effects with the benefits of treatment when making your decision.
Your doctor says the surgery to take out your tumor was a success, but then refers you to another doctor to consider more treatment — called adjuvant therapy.
What is adjuvant therapy?
Which treatments are used as adjuvant therapies?
Types of cancer treatment that are used as adjuvant therapy include:
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Hormone therapy. For cancers sensitive to hormones, certain treatments can stop hormone production in your body or block the effect of hormones.
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. It can be given internally or externally.
Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works with your body's immune system to fight off any remaining cancer cells by stimulating your body's own defenses or supplementing them.
Targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is designed to alter specific abnormalities present within cancer cells. For example, a targeted therapy is available to block the action of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in women with breast cancer.
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2 ReactionsDuring my initial consultation ,we discussed surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and injections. There may be other factors involved that I do not have which makes surgery the first step, but in my case all have risks involved. Since it’s a very slow moving cancer to start with, and I don’t have any pain, Dr. Starr recommend starting with the injections, and I agreed.. Our hope is the injections keep working!
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2 Reactions@vinnie694
Thanks for your reply.Hope the injection keeps working for you. All the best.
The CT cu64 is a different PET scan. Chemo doesn't work on Pnet. Make sure you get a speciaist
because it matters alot. I don't know where you live but I go to the moffitt cancer center in Tampa fl. MD Anderson is the top dog with it but there in texas. Check around and you will find the correct ones to go to. It's not just a oncologist thing, it's an oncologist that specializes in net cancer is what you need. Good luck.
Take care
AF
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