Question any information using CA 19-9 to determine reoccurrence before tumor is large enough to be identified by CT scan.
With pancreatic cancer if their was elevated CA 19-9 prior to surgery then around 60% of the time an increasing CA 19-9 trend was identified before the tumor could be detected with CT scan.
History:
Gallbladder cancer found when it was removed 1.6 cm.
PET scan 20 days later showed tumor in liver section IVb.
Liver resection segment 4B, tumor 3.5 cm, margins clear.
Followed with 26 external beam radiation and 5FU chemo.
CA 19-9 continues to show downward trend and is approaching normal levels.
5 months after liver resection CT scan could not detect any tumor.
Current plan is to test CA 19-9 every 40 days and CT scan every 6 months. Frequency to be increased if CA 19-9 test establishes an increasing trend
Hello, my wife is going through a very similar case like yours. She had a 1.5 gallbladder cancer tumour and possibly a 1cm liver tumour (still waiting on an MRI result) in segment V. How are you doing?
I travel 7/16 - my husband is coming with this time. We are estranged though living in the same house. He’s not much support.
The lack of a sense of urgency is really frustrating. Not just at Mayo but it seems everywhere. It’s caused resection to be no longer an option. And allowed stage 2 to progress to stage 4. And still I still and wait.
By the time treatment is started who knows how & where it’s spread.
Has anyone switched from Mayo to else where with better results or is this just how it goes?
Yes.
That was hands down the hardest thing I’ve had to do. Heartbreaking.
Thank you for offering your ear! I appreciate it greatly.
My oldest daughter is very helpful but she has one year of college left. When she goes back it will be very hard. I won’t see her again until Christmas & that’s not guaranteed.
I can imagine that telling your family about the diagnosis was one of the hardest things you've had to do. You might appreciate some of the comments and resources shared in this related discussion:
- Family dynamics challenging when a parent has cancer: Want to connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/group-focused-on-families-and-parent-with-cancer/
When do you travel to Mayo Clinic? Will you have someone accompany you?
@tammie4jc
I hope your adult children are some support.
I live in Rochester, but am only in town part of summer. Other times in northern MN cabin. If anything I can do to help or just someone to talk to, let me know. I am cancer survivor, but never in same situation you are in.
Yes.
That was hands down the hardest thing I’ve had to do. Heartbreaking.
Thank you for offering your ear! I appreciate it greatly.
My oldest daughter is very helpful but she has one year of college left. When she goes back it will be very hard. I won’t see her again until Christmas & that’s not guaranteed.
I’m traveling to Rochester location from rural Alaska. I’ve been there twice already - once for labs/scans & early this week for biopsy.
I was unprepared for the stage 4 diagnosis. My care in Alaska & waiting for Mayo to have availability has wasted precious time. Now the realization that this is not curable is sinking in.
I’m 56 with 8 beautiful kids - four still at home. I don’t need to say more. I know we all know how devastating this cancer is.
I’m just looking for support.
@tammie4jc
I hope your adult children are some support.
I live in Rochester, but am only in town part of summer. Other times in northern MN cabin. If anything I can do to help or just someone to talk to, let me know. I am cancer survivor, but never in same situation you are in.
Welcome to Mayo Connect, I hope you find it helpful and supportive.
I am sure your full of questions and anxiety. Many members have beem in same situation your in.
I’m traveling to Rochester location from rural Alaska. I’ve been there twice already - once for labs/scans & early this week for biopsy.
I was unprepared for the stage 4 diagnosis. My care in Alaska & waiting for Mayo to have availability has wasted precious time. Now the realization that this is not curable is sinking in.
I’m 56 with 8 beautiful kids - four still at home. I don’t need to say more. I know we all know how devastating this cancer is.
I’m just looking for support.
Diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
I have my first appointment with the oncologist at Mayo.
I’m having a hard time finding support.
Is anyone still here?
Welcome to Mayo Connect, I hope you find it helpful and supportive.
I am sure your full of questions and anxiety. Many members have beem in same situation your in.
Diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
I have my first appointment with the oncologist at Mayo.
I’m having a hard time finding support.
Is anyone still here?
@johnny2053, I'm tagging @waflanders to make sure they saw your question. I believe @alie@edie78t@lovingwifeterry also had treatment with gemcitabine and cisplatin plus durvalumab and may be able to share their experiences.
Johnny, did you decide to go ahead with treatment? How are you doing?
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Hello, my wife is going through a very similar case like yours. She had a 1.5 gallbladder cancer tumour and possibly a 1cm liver tumour (still waiting on an MRI result) in segment V. How are you doing?
Thank you @colleenyoung
I travel 7/16 - my husband is coming with this time. We are estranged though living in the same house. He’s not much support.
The lack of a sense of urgency is really frustrating. Not just at Mayo but it seems everywhere. It’s caused resection to be no longer an option. And allowed stage 2 to progress to stage 4. And still I still and wait.
By the time treatment is started who knows how & where it’s spread.
Has anyone switched from Mayo to else where with better results or is this just how it goes?
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2 ReactionsHi @tammie4jc, I'm tagging fellow members like @pgf @waflanders @alie @formayor @heartofgold57 @viopp @sonic997 @johnny2053 @edie78t. who have experience with gallbladder cancer either as a patient or family caregiver.
I can imagine that telling your family about the diagnosis was one of the hardest things you've had to do. You might appreciate some of the comments and resources shared in this related discussion:
- Family dynamics challenging when a parent has cancer: Want to connect
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/group-focused-on-families-and-parent-with-cancer/
When do you travel to Mayo Clinic? Will you have someone accompany you?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes.
That was hands down the hardest thing I’ve had to do. Heartbreaking.
Thank you for offering your ear! I appreciate it greatly.
My oldest daughter is very helpful but she has one year of college left. When she goes back it will be very hard. I won’t see her again until Christmas & that’s not guaranteed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tammie4jc
I hope your adult children are some support.
I live in Rochester, but am only in town part of summer. Other times in northern MN cabin. If anything I can do to help or just someone to talk to, let me know. I am cancer survivor, but never in same situation you are in.
Have you told your family?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI’m traveling to Rochester location from rural Alaska. I’ve been there twice already - once for labs/scans & early this week for biopsy.
I was unprepared for the stage 4 diagnosis. My care in Alaska & waiting for Mayo to have availability has wasted precious time. Now the realization that this is not curable is sinking in.
I’m 56 with 8 beautiful kids - four still at home. I don’t need to say more. I know we all know how devastating this cancer is.
I’m just looking for support.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tammie4jc
Welcome to Mayo Connect, I hope you find it helpful and supportive.
I am sure your full of questions and anxiety. Many members have beem in same situation your in.
You may want to check out this discussion, "Anyone diagnosed with Gallbladder cancer?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gallbladder-cancer/
On Connect you can read comments from oldest to newest, or sort from newest to oldest.
Which Mayo location are you going to? Do you have to travel far?
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3 ReactionsDiagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
I have my first appointment with the oncologist at Mayo.
I’m having a hard time finding support.
Is anyone still here?
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1 ReactionCan someone comment if they had inflammation of spleen when diagnosed?
Not yet my cancer is very slow going and my oncologist said to wait , We also send my cancer and blood for molecular screening
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2 Reactions