Ductal adenocarcinoma, colloid (mucinous) type

My mother had her second chemo and got out of the hospital yesterday. She feels some weakness, but otherwise is doing surprisingly well. Also, the fluid stopped coming out and they took out the drainage that was connected to her stomach.

I learned today that her doctor was planning on doing three chemos. I wonder if there’s a specific reason behind that? I have read from this forum that Folfirinox is usually done as 12 sessions...

I'm glad I was able to give you some helpful information. Thank you for your concern. I was surprised when I was told the mucinous cancer was rare. I thought oh great! I had been trying to find out more about this cancer, online & through books at the libarary. I have found some info online, but even if you type in the full name, etc., other names of cancer show up. It can be frustrating. I have found it has helped me talking about my cancer with other paitents & family. I have gotten insight & encouragement when discussing this with other paitents & it is kinda like therapy, I don't have to keep it all in. I hope your mom is doing well. It all depends on what type of chemo she will get. She may be able to handle the chemo, it all depends on her chemistry & makeup. Hang in there! Take care.

Thank you so much for your comment, it contains valuable information for me! I am very sorry that you have to go through this, but it is good that you’re stable and that the cancer is slow.

Seems the mucinous type is quite rare. I am just hoping that chemo works and my mom holds on. Maybe in a year’s time there will be new treatment options available already.

I was diagonosed with moderately to well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma in Oct. 2022. It was found early because I was having bloodwork tested every 3 months. In Oct. 2021, I found I had a 4 pound ovarian cyst that had wrapped around my colon. I had surgery to remove this. The surgeon said I had mucinous cancer cells in the cyst & in both ovaries, everything was removed and I didn't need any further treatment. Thankfully for having my blood tested there was a red flag on my cancer markers. At this time I'm stable, I have a 3.5 cm mass in the tail of the pancreas & 2 lesions on my liver. I didn't have any pain, jaundice, or other signs either. I mean a person has pains in the side, back or other places but you don't think cancer. I was told my pancreas showed signs of having had pacreatitis, which I don't understand what that is. I was told my mucinous cancer is a slower growing cancer. I also had never heard of mucinous cancer before. My surgeon told me that if you think of mucus or snot that is what this mucinous cancer is, it isn't solid. If your mom is feeling physically well & hasn't had any symptoms, this could be a positive thing, but you need to have her oncologist explain more about her cancer. As I have found out, everybody is different & can react differently. So sorry to hear that your mom has cancer on the liver & lymph nodes. I will read more of your comments to see how your mom is doing. Take care.

Thanks! Just wrote it down as another question for the doctor.

I know it’s a long shot, but I am hoping that maybe the ascites is not that malignant, if it’s caused by the dysfunctioning pancreas tail, not by the liver...

The fluid can be tested for cancer cells. Tests have likely been done to see the characteristics of the fluid so your medical team should be able to give you that information

Thank you! I have been trying to keep up with online resources. However, I don’t know for sure, what type of ascites we’re dealing with. Cirrhotic ascites is the most common, but I have read that pancreatic cancer can cause ascites at any stage, especially when it’s in the tail?

We can access the results online. We did it at first, but now my mother is too scared and says she doesn’t want to know the results.

capricorn24,

Are you reviewing online resources for information? There us a lot. An example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4521252/#:~:text=Under%20normal%20conditions%2C%20peritoneal%20fluid%20is%20clear%20to%20pale%20yellow.&text=Bloody%20ascites%20is%20a%20characteristic,is%20often%20associated%20with%20cirrhosis.

Does your medical system gave an online portal where you can review test results, blood test results, assessments, etc?

Today is the 4th day after chemo. My mother is doing really well and she is gaining more energy day by day.

The ascites is also decreasing. When she went to the hospital, she had 3 litres taken out within 24h. Right now there’s approximately 400ml of fluid coming out within 12h, but the amounts have been decreasing 100ml per day. Also, she said that the fluid is not so watery anymore, it’s more foggy, mixed with some blood.

Does anybody have any similar experiences? Does that mean that chemo is working?

Also, my mother had another CT yesterday. She will see her doctor on the 15th, when the second chemo starts, so there’s a bit of waiting. She is afraid that the cancer has spread so much that the doctor will say that there’ no point for chemo. I have been telling her that they will definitely continue chemo, as long as her blood tests are fine. Is there anything else I can tell her, so that she would feel reassured?

I am not a medical professional, but the blood work work numbers are important for assessment. CA-19 is usually accurate. Any number over 34/37 (depending on test manufacturer, if I recall) is positive for pancreatic cancer (although other infections and cancers other things could cause this), but the trending reflects.

Ascites is, in many cases, indicative of spread to liver, omemtum and other areas - this could explain the prognosis.

Regardless, she needs to be seen by a pancreatic cancer center of excellence - immediately.