Has anyone been able to have surgery for tumor in the tail?

That’s great!

We received good news on the PET. We're contacting another trial today at Huntsman in Salt Lake City to see what they can offer and to see other options with this new information. Thank you for your information, we will include it in our conversation.

Have you considered going back on GC and adding abraxane? Abraxane is the really powerful one that eliminated 1 of my liver lesions and shrunk the other lesion that was 1.7 cm to 0.9cm and then I got MRIdean radiation on it to hopefully decimate it (I’ll know by early December when I meet with the radiation specialist). My marker (CA19-9) is in normal range down, but I will stay on chemo GA (I don’t have the BRCA gene, but have the ATM, KRAS12D, and TP53) forever until it stops working. Cisplatin effective for BRCA and PALB genes. There is also a clinical trial out there RM6236 and RM9805 that is showing some positive results so you might ask your oncologist if you might be a candidate. Best wishes on your journey; just realize it can be a bumpy road!

Hello. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2023 Stage 2B and had surgery in September 2023 a Distal pancretectomy, removing half my pancreas (tail) and spleen. The surgery was successful with clean edges however, the pancreatic cancer had metastasized to my liver Reclassed as stage 4. In November 2023 I started 12 rounds of chemotherapy Gemcitibine and cisplatin (platinum) and completed in March 2024. There were three Tumors on my liver and after chemo, one was not detectable, and the others had shrunk over 50%. I do genetic testing Revealing the BRCA2 so I am now on a PARP Inhibitor Lynparza. I did consult with my surgeon and he recommended Ablation for the remaining tumors however a Pre surgery MRI revealed 10 tumors < 1cm On my liver, so the ablation is not possible at this time as it’s limited to three tumors. I am eating well, exercising daily and for the most part sleeping ok. My major complaints are I’m cold all the time and have moderate fatigue. I’m staying in the fight And staying strong.

I would get hiccups also a day or so after treatment. I was prescribed Baclofen and it worked well for me.

I would also do cryotherapy during treatment to help prevent or hold off neuropathy. I would wrap my hands and feet in ice packs during the administration of Oxaliplatin. I picked up some special hand and feet "gloves" on Amazon. It seemed to work until about treatment #9 or so. Then I got neuropathy in my hands and feet.

I would proactively take Compazine and had no nausea. I don't think you can avoid some form of diarrhea as the cells shed and die.

I am hopeful for you and your spouse that the cancer responds well to the treatment.

I had a 5.5 cm tumor on tail. Doctors at Sloan initially thought was precancerous. My surgeon removed 40% of pancreas tail, 23 lymph nodes, spleen and gallbladder in May 2024. Pathology showed 1.5 cm was cancerous along with 1 lymph node. It could be that the tumor had invaded blood vessels or arteries. I would seek a second opinion. The surgeon you choose is vitally important. My surgeon at MSKCC does over 35 pancreas and 100 liver surgeries a year and MSKCC is a PanCan specialty hospital. I would seek that second opinion asap. As far as treatment my surgery was successful, completing 11 rounds of adjuvant chemo, 4 more to go. I’ve had 2 post surgery CT scans which are clear. Good
Luck to you!

My husband was diagnosed in Nov 2023. He had robotic surgery in Dec to remove 2/3 pancreas, spleen & about 30 lymph nodes. 2 came back positive. Tumor was 3.8 cm. Stage 2B Has since had 12 rounds of chemo & is currently stable.
Hang in there & prayers!

Hello @joiedevivre and welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate you sharing your husband's experience with pancreatic cancer. You both have obviously done all that you can in seeking more opinions, learning about this cancer and finding a good oncologist. These are great ways to advocate for your medical care. When you say, "The more you ask, the more you know..." you have put yourself on a good path.

How is your husband feeling these days?

Folfirinox is the 'gold standard' for treating pancreatic cancer. The surgeon who operated on my husband has a different prognosis from the oncologist treating my husband - that is what makes it so difficult for us. We recognise cancer is unpredictable. However, the oncologist says there is Plan A, Plan B, C and D in treating the cancer. You need a good oncologist to guide you and your husband. Seek more opinions and learn; you need not change oncologists. The more you ask, the more you know and it helps in the cancer journey with your husband.

My husband has a PET/CT Scan Nov 1. They think he might have 2 different types of cancer. He had his kidney stint replaced a week ago, and the urologist thinks he has 2 different cancers because he found a small tumor in the bladder, which he burned off. We're not sure what that will do. I guess we wait for more info from the scan on Friday.
Thanks for the replies everyone. It helps to read what others are doing with their situations.