Caregiver for the best brother with stage 4 pancreatic cancer

Posted by csnedderl @csnedderl, Oct 10 5:04pm

Where do I begin??? My brother was officially diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the beginning of September, since then he has been in the hospital for 13 days during which he several complications. He was finally released to rehab, and I was hoping for him that this would be a quick in and out and start chemo. But instead, he has gotten weaker and back to the hospital yesterday with new issues. I'm getting the feeling that chemo may not be in his immediate future. Has anyone had experience with a lesser invasive type of treatment (precision treatment - immunotherapy? targeted therapy?) ? Please, all help is appreciated. Thank you...

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caregivercal | @caregivercal | Oct 16 11:04pm

While comparing my daughter's treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer with others on this site with the same diagnosis, there seems to be variability as to what works for some and not for others as well as what options are considered for some and not others. Patients have different tolerance levels to every treatment and some treatments are not considered as an option depending on health issues that a patient may be encountering. My sense is that doctors, particularly if updated and connected with Centers of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer, search for the treatment most likely to provide the best results with the least adverse effects for the patient and also consider feedback from the patient.

gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Oct 17 7:59am

There are many details you haven’t included but I can say that notes physicians in the field say that immunotherapy isn’t “there” yet for pancreatic cancer. Clinical trials, based on genetic mutations that could be targeted, are out there but so take awhile to get into so application must be made quickly. Very precisely targeted radiation, like SBRT, can be a possibility on tumors that don’t reside on vital organs. You could ask if that is a possibility . Chemo often shrinks tumors to get us to a place where surgery /radiation can be successful.
All questions that should be pursued by the tumor board at your medical facility. If you need a virtual second opinion, I believe Dr Evans in Milwaukee will speak with you. He is a noted physician in this area.

mayoconnectuser1 | @mayoconnectuser1 | Oct 18 8:50am

csn,

This is a horrible disease.

As you did not mention, it does not sound like your brother is at a pancreatic cancer center of excellence - if possible, he should immediately consult with one.

While I wish I could provide some sense of hope, it sounds as if the disease is advanced, so being realistic is perhaps appropriate. I say this carefully to try to avoid sounding negative, but there are likely many pragmatic things to be accomplished as quickly as possible.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 20 6:10pm

@csnedderl, as other members have responded, every patient is different, even when the diagnosis seems similar. I'm so sorry to hear that your brother has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage 4. You obviously are very worried and care for your brother - the best brother - dearly. This must be overwhelming.

How is your brother doing now? Have they determined if there is a treatment option that can help ease his symptoms and provide comfort? This is also known as palliative care. Do you live close to your brother?