i somehow don’t think the GP has the expertise to be making such a serious decision that is usually based upon highly specialized expertise. And then there is the question is the ins company willing to cover the cost of chemo w/o a biopsy?
Guess we will find out. We are willing to pay also…. Just talked to GP 1 hr ago .. he says “we are sure we want to go down the road with the HPB clinic in Vancouver”. Seriously , this group deals with this all the time they do pancreas / liver operations and transplants But he is reluctant to get them involved doesn’t make any sense … so I have made the contact myself It’s just crazy he wants us to sit and wait for this biopsy on the liver (also informed us that it might be unsuccessful also). Has anyone else dealt with this situation and navigated through it ?
When cancer has progressed beyond pancreas, the protocol is chemotherapy to reduce growth as much as possible prior to surgery.
I would be actively seeking a second opinion to get into treatment with a goal of surgery or clinical trials
it’s very important to trust your surgeon. I’m skeptical by nature and as a former Medicare fraud investigator i’m frequently concerned that my medical documentation support all medically necessary claims being accepted by insurance
Pancreatic cancer surgeon wrote it on MRI RX. When i asked why he alleged that was the only diagnosis he knew. My ins does not generally require Pre-authorization for MRI’s. However, i don’t know if malignant neoplasms was listed to ensure insurance coverage.
Elisabeth077,
Back in September 2022 when I had a HMO insurance and was having symptoms, but not yet tested or diagnosed, my endocrinologist wrote the same dx on the order for my CT scan and yes it was so insurance would approve.
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Guess we will find out. We are willing to pay also…. Just talked to GP 1 hr ago .. he says “we are sure we want to go down the road with the HPB clinic in Vancouver”. Seriously , this group deals with this all the time they do pancreas / liver operations and transplants But he is reluctant to get them involved doesn’t make any sense … so I have made the contact myself It’s just crazy he wants us to sit and wait for this biopsy on the liver (also informed us that it might be unsuccessful also). Has anyone else dealt with this situation and navigated through it ?
When cancer has progressed beyond pancreas, the protocol is chemotherapy to reduce growth as much as possible prior to surgery.
I would be actively seeking a second opinion to get into treatment with a goal of surgery or clinical trials
i don’t even know if i have cancer. Neither a biopsy or pet scan was done
Elisabeth007 you can ask any of your drs to order a ca19-9 test or tumor marker test. It’s a blood test that might provide you with some more data.
it’s very important to trust your surgeon. I’m skeptical by nature and as a former Medicare fraud investigator i’m frequently concerned that my medical documentation support all medically necessary claims being accepted by insurance
Elisabeth077,
Back in September 2022 when I had a HMO insurance and was having symptoms, but not yet tested or diagnosed, my endocrinologist wrote the same dx on the order for my CT scan and yes it was so insurance would approve.