1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Question regarding “dead” tumor

Posted by dlm2023 @dlm2023, Oct 27, 2023

I’ve read several posts mentioning dead tumors and was wondering how do you know it’s dead and what treatment did you receive. My husband was diagnosed with an inoperable 3cm pancreatic tumor in March 2023. He had 9 rounds of fulfirinox and has had 4 rounds of gemzar/abraxane with the fifth scheduled for Monday. His last scan showed the tumor has shrunk and appears to be stable and his ca19-9 is 202. Since his tumor is inoperable it seems to me that if it were dead that would be almost as good as surgery. But I just don’t know enough about this and was hoping someone would share their story. Thank you.

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

marcia | @marciak9 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @jk77 "@marciak9, what was your oral chemo called? I'm asking bc I'm about to meet with my..." + (show)
@jk77

@marciak9, what was your oral chemo called?

I'm asking bc I'm about to meet with my onc. to find out what's next for me; I think, based on what my surgeon said post-Whipple, that radiation and oral chemo are coming my way. Thanks, and I hope you're doing well.

Jump to this post

Hello

The chemo drug I took with radiation was called Capecitabine. Best wishes for your upcoming appointment!

REPLY
1 reply
dlm2023 | @dlm2023 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @mayoconnectuser1 "OK - I am not a medical professional, but what I have read from survivors is..." + (show)
@mayoconnectuser1

OK - I am not a medical professional, but what I have read from survivors is that many continue with chemotherapy - tailored, but they continue. Many for years. Terminating chemo, imo uneducated opinion, is not what I would do under like circumstances.

Some folks cannot tolerate more chemo, but in many cases they try to continue with the same chemo, vs tailoring.

I will again note, that unless you are being treated at a center of excellence for pancreatic cancer, you are not getting front line treatment - this isn't to say the medical professionals in your area aren't working hard and trying to do the best for you possible, it is simply because they do not specialize in pancreatic cancer - pancan is not like other cancers. It's survival rate is low - your best chance will always be at a place like Mayo (Rochester, not Jax or Arizona), MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, etc.

Jump to this post

I’m curious as to why you don’t recommend Mayo in Jacksonville or Arizona - only Rochester?

REPLY
1 reply
davisworld1 | @davisworld1 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "Yes, I am also interested in how one can get chemo beyond the standard of care..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

Yes, I am also interested in how one can get chemo beyond the standard of care term.

Also, @robee
Where are you being treated where an immunotherapy is being introduced to your regimen. This seems very forward thinking.

Jump to this post

I underwent an unsuccessful whipper feb 2023. The five weeks of targeted radiation at Sloan Kettering ending the end of May. First C T scan showed no spread tumor markers normal. But recent scan showed slight increase in tumor still no spread and normal tumor markers. I just finished standard chemo at an integrative cancer center, the Block center in Skokie Illinois. My chemo was the same as recommended at university of Chicago. But I did sis infusions not FDA approved or covered by insurance. Except for the money I researched and didn’t see and negatives but the Block Center has been around for 40 years. The personalized care for me felt better than a large hospital. 🤞Keep you posted ad feel free to reach out. Love and hugs.

REPLY
mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @dlm2023 "I’m curious as to why you don’t recommend Mayo in Jacksonville or Arizona - only Rochester?" + (show)
@dlm2023

I’m curious as to why you don’t recommend Mayo in Jacksonville or Arizona - only Rochester?

Jump to this post

dim2023,

My admittedly limited reading on pancreatic cancer indicates that of the three, only Mayo Rochester is considered a center of excellence with specific focus on pancreatic cancer.

REPLY
jk77 | @jk77 | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @marciak9 "Hello The chemo drug I took with radiation was called Capecitabine. Best wishes for your upcoming..." + (show)
@marciak9

Hello

The chemo drug I took with radiation was called Capecitabine. Best wishes for your upcoming appointment!

Jump to this post

I've just been put on the same regimen, to start in 3-4 weeks. Thank you very much for the info and for your good wishes; sending good wishes back to you.

REPLY
robee | @robee | Nov 8, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "Yes, I am also interested in how one can get chemo beyond the standard of care..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

Yes, I am also interested in how one can get chemo beyond the standard of care term.

Also, @robee
Where are you being treated where an immunotherapy is being introduced to your regimen. This seems very forward thinking.

Jump to this post

@gamaryanne Immunotherapy has not been introduced with my chemo regimen as yet. It is a clinical trial at UPMC in Pittsburgh. I am scheduled to go in and discuss the possibility in the event this new chemo is not as effective as we hope.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.