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

My husband was also told surgery was not an option. Tumor in tail of pancreas, but had spread to bones, lungs, lymph nodes when they found it. Had been extremely healthy and strong until the back pain from bone mets took us down this road. Has had 12 treatments of folfirinox with 2 other chemo drugs. First 5 or 6 treatments weren't too bad other than tiredness and throwing up. But the rest were increasingly worse for him. Everyone is different, but he's lost a lot of weight as he just couldn't eat/drink enough. Has been light headed for months. Neuropathy in hands and feet. He's now just doing the folfirinox and that has been easier than the 3 drug combo... but was so weakened from the 12 bad treatments that he continues to have problems with fatigue, some nausea, continued light headedness and neuropathy. Tries to walk, but it is like a slow 1/10 of a mile compared to the many mile backpacking hikes he used to do. Hopeful that things will get better... and it is slightly better than when he was doing the 3 drug cocktail.
Going in for extra hydration has helped him as he was just unable to drink/eat enough. Stool softeners/laxatives have helped. And taking creon with meals has helped as he wasn't getting the nutrients from what he did eat.
Oh, also getting regular CA19-9 blood tests have been huge for watching the tumor markers. Normal is less than 35. He started at over 39,000. Now is down to less than 500 and numbers continue to fall which the oncologist says shows that the folfirinox is working. His first oncologist never ordered that test, so tried treating him for lung cancer instead of pancreatic cancer... and of course that did not work at all and resulted in months delay of the proper treatment.
Good luck to you. This forum has given me hope.

Standard of care frequency of doing a scan to assess efficacy of treatment is 3 months. If receiving (m)Folfirinox, it would be after the sixth cycle. If receiving Gemzar/Abraxane, it would be after the third cycle which is nine infusions.

If the first regimen fails, an oncologist may schedule a scan after two months of the second regimen being used.

Thank you. It such and up/ down and it changes So hoping tumors shrink Any idea how long after they do another ct or mri. I think we were told 3 months. However, with information overload I might have it incorrect

7/8/2022
My husband gets very tired after chemo. Some nausea, but hasn't had any vomiting or diarrhea. His Oncologist prescribed Olanzapine for him because the steroid medication that they add to the mix in the Folfirinox cocktail gives him the hiccups.
After his first treatment he had the hiccups for 6 straight days, non stop. That was horrific and put him in the hospital. The olanzapine also makes him hungry, so he has a better appetite, helping him gain some weight back. He also tries to walk and exercise to try and keep his strength up, its pretty hard. Our biggest hurdle with all of this is the depression and hopelessness he feels.

A competent oncologist will give meds just prior to infusion of chemo recipe. These are designed to reduce nausea and other symptoms. But, he will be tired for se real days and possibly have GI issues. The nurses should talk through all of this with you and supply prescriptions to help with some side effects.

Often chemo will shrink the tumors and stop the spread . Think positive and be tolerant of his need for rest and perhaps his change in taste when it comes to appetite. Most importantly, think positive and see grace all around you!

Thank you. I'm really hopeful the Mayo Clinic can have better options.

My husband has the same experience large tumour in pancreas, spleen. Liver Tumour markers 120,000. We are told no surgery. Only chemo ever 2 weeks. I’m afraid he will be really ill?? Any comments appreciated

I had a 5.5 cm tumor removed at MSK. Originally thought it was pre-cancerous however pathology showed 1.5 cm cancerous and one lymph node. Stage 2b. Clean margins after surgery. Starting chemo 7/15. I would recommend second opinion with a surgical oncologist specialist.

Our appointment is the first available at Mayo. Thanks for the information, that give us hope.

August……that is a long time from now…..I would look into getting in sooner to any facility that specializes in Pancreatic Cancer. To answer the original question….I had a 2CM tumor removed in May 2023 that was on the tail of my pancreas….initial biopsy was a PNET but after the surgery biopsy revealed a MiNen…a mixed Neuroendocrine and Adenocarcinoma tumor….1 lymph node was positive. Every case is different….time is of the essence….I wish you and your husband good luck going forward…..