1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Tumor can’t be removed: What are chances of survival now?

Posted by treyman1234 @treyman1234, Dec 9, 2023

My husband went to have a whipped surgery on the head of his pancreas. Images showed a 2 cm tumor but when they went in it was golf ball size and incased with arteries. He was bleeding too much and thought it was too dangerous to continue. What are his chances of survival now?

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

marcia | @marciak9 | Dec 12, 2023

My tumor is wrapped around arteries as well. My surgeon at the Mayo said it would be a difficult surgery, but they could cut the artery. Remove pancreas, spleen and stomach and then reattach the artery. My esophagus would go straight into my intestines so I would have constant diarrhea And type two diabetes with injections. I’m 61 and I’m not strong enough for that kind of surgery so we did 12 rounds of chemo and 15 rounds of radiation and the tumor has shrunk and is showing as black or dead. It still may metastasize to other organs which will be treated with chemo. I don’t think I could tolerate chemo if I had had the surgery. I don’t have any pain now and I’m living a pretty normal life. I’ll just have to go in every 2 to 3 months for scans and bloodwork.

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2 replies
rs12122 | @rs12122 | Dec 13, 2023
In reply to @marciak9 "My tumor is wrapped around arteries as well. My surgeon at the Mayo said it would..." + (show)
@marciak9

My tumor is wrapped around arteries as well. My surgeon at the Mayo said it would be a difficult surgery, but they could cut the artery. Remove pancreas, spleen and stomach and then reattach the artery. My esophagus would go straight into my intestines so I would have constant diarrhea And type two diabetes with injections. I’m 61 and I’m not strong enough for that kind of surgery so we did 12 rounds of chemo and 15 rounds of radiation and the tumor has shrunk and is showing as black or dead. It still may metastasize to other organs which will be treated with chemo. I don’t think I could tolerate chemo if I had had the surgery. I don’t have any pain now and I’m living a pretty normal life. I’ll just have to go in every 2 to 3 months for scans and bloodwork.

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I was diagnosed with the same on August 18th 2023 and I have had 5 of my 12 chemo therapy treatments. After my chemo I will have three weeks of radiation.
I am very pleased to hear that you're doing well and it is encouraging for me going forward.

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2 replies
marcia | @marciak9 | Dec 13, 2023
In reply to @rs12122 "I was diagnosed with the same on August 18th 2023 and I have had 5 of..." + (show)
@rs12122

I was diagnosed with the same on August 18th 2023 and I have had 5 of my 12 chemo therapy treatments. After my chemo I will have three weeks of radiation.
I am very pleased to hear that you're doing well and it is encouraging for me going forward.

Jump to this post

Yes that’s just like me! I feel great now! Chemo was tough but if I can do it you can too! You Mayo in Rochester?

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2 replies
rs12122 | @rs12122 | Dec 13, 2023
In reply to @marciak9 "Yes that’s just like me! I feel great now! Chemo was tough but if I can..." + (show)
@marciak9

Yes that’s just like me! I feel great now! Chemo was tough but if I can do it you can too! You Mayo in Rochester?

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Yes I am at Mayo in rochester with Oncologist in my Hometown and in Rochester. 2 months check ups at Mayo
and my radiation will be at Mayo.
If I might ask. When did you complete your radiation? Thanks

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marcia | @marciak9 | Dec 13, 2023

I had my radiation from June 19th to July 10th

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 14, 2023
In reply to @rs12122 "I was diagnosed with the same on August 18th 2023 and I have had 5 of..." + (show)
@rs12122

I was diagnosed with the same on August 18th 2023 and I have had 5 of my 12 chemo therapy treatments. After my chemo I will have three weeks of radiation.
I am very pleased to hear that you're doing well and it is encouraging for me going forward.

Jump to this post

Hello @rs12122 and welcome to the NETs support group on Mayo Connect. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I see that you were diagnosed in August. Were you having symptoms that led to this diagnosis?

I look forward to getting to know you. If you are comfortable sharing more, what type of chemo have you had? Any significant side effects?

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1 reply
rs12122 | @rs12122 | Dec 14, 2023
In reply to @marciak9 "Yes that’s just like me! I feel great now! Chemo was tough but if I can..." + (show)
@marciak9

Yes that’s just like me! I feel great now! Chemo was tough but if I can do it you can too! You Mayo in Rochester?

Jump to this post

I agree with you on the fact that the chemo is tough.
Thanks for the encouragement, it is helpful.
I am so happy that you're feeling great. Thanks

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rs12122 | @rs12122 | Dec 14, 2023
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @rs12122 and welcome to the NETs support group on Mayo Connect. I appreciate you sharing..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @rs12122 and welcome to the NETs support group on Mayo Connect. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I see that you were diagnosed in August. Were you having symptoms that led to this diagnosis?

I look forward to getting to know you. If you are comfortable sharing more, what type of chemo have you had? Any significant side effects?

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I could do some Tech Support. I got about halfway through my reply to you and then I lost it all.

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 14, 2023
In reply to @rs12122 "I could do some Tech Support. I got about halfway through my reply to you and..." + (show)
@rs12122

I could do some Tech Support. I got about halfway through my reply to you and then I lost it all.

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@rs12122
So sorry to hear that you lost your reply. That has happened to me and others as well. Please try again.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 15, 2023
In reply to @rs12122 "I could do some Tech Support. I got about halfway through my reply to you and..." + (show)
@rs12122

I could do some Tech Support. I got about halfway through my reply to you and then I lost it all.

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@rs12122, sorry you lost your reply. If I can help with tech support, please send me an email using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

Also see helpful tips on using the site in the Help Center https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

Do you want to try your reply to @hopeful33250 again?

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