Gemcitabine-Abraxane-Cisplatin
Those are the 3 main chemicals in this chemo treatment. I had surgery in 2022 and got the Fulfirnox chemo treatment which was good but didn’t affect the growth around my artery so it spread to liver as lesions. Usually in stage 4 they give you GAC because it’s not as harsh as Fulfirnox (which I had no trouble with by the way). I do see posts where plenty get Fulfirnox (modified) in stage 4, but maybe it’s just for those whose cancer was discovered at stage 4 and this is their first line of
treatment? As someone mentioned in some post, many drs line to follow protocol and that may just get you the safe, typical response. Don’t be afraid to get an oncologist who thinks outside the box, though! Hoping the best for you
I had pancreatic cancer in 2022 (can’t believe that long ago!) and had surgery. Nov 2023 MRI found liver lesions and endoscopy dr said had it on hepatic/celiac artery. I also have some in my abdominal area. CT doesn’t show lesions as I think CT is for more 3-dimensional tumors. I’m receiving GAC chemo combo for these and there is a response as my CA19-9 went from 3840 to 550 after 3 treatments so far. Had to take week off though as my white blood count too low. Hoping you have the best oncologist out there.
I do have lesions on my liver in addition to the main tumor in the body of my pancreas. I probably have lesions elsewhere, for that matter. The lesions don't show up on a CT scan because they're too flat, but the surgeon saw them during my staging laparoscopy. So that makes me a stage 4. I'm not a medical professional, so all I can share is my own experience. In my case, chemo is not only the treatment of choice, it's the only treatment. The lesions and blood vessel involvement around the main tumor exclude me from any sort of surgery (such as the Whipple) or radiation. I did ask about HIPEC, which is a heated abdominal chemo wash, but my MD told me it would make me really sick and he didn't recommend it. I'm having chemo round 20 tomorrow. I'm on modified Folfiri (no oxaliplatin; my MD discontinued it after round 8), and my dosage level is lower than typical because of the side effects I had during round 1. Does that info help at all? Post your questions. There are a lot of really knowledgeable, helpful people on this board!
@ncteacher
I’m stage 4 as well but discovered a high dose radiation treatment (NOT the same as SBRT that most oncologist know about) at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. It was 3 full weeks/5 days a week. I was able to be off chemo for 6 mos. Some people have gone considerably longer. There are very few places that do this method and Dr. Christopher Crane at MSK pioneered it so I went there. Maybe worth looking into for your situation. He’s very good at getting back to you and explaining the procedure. And we were set up at Hope Lodge and stayed for free.
I had pancreatic cancer in 2022 (can’t believe that long ago!) and had surgery. Nov 2023 MRI found liver lesions and endoscopy dr said had it on hepatic/celiac artery. I also have some in my abdominal area. CT doesn’t show lesions as I think CT is for more 3-dimensional tumors. I’m receiving GAC chemo combo for these and there is a response as my CA19-9 went from 3840 to 550 after 3 treatments so far. Had to take week off though as my white blood count too low. Hoping you have the best oncologist out there.
Thank you for this information
I'm hoping they are going to come up with treatment that will be the one that helps tomorrow when we see the oncologist
I'll mention this if I think they aren't coming up with what is a good alternative
I appreciate your help so very much
Worst time of my life😢
Hang in there! This is my third cancer diagnosis, and while I can't say I would have voluntarily chosen it, I've certainly learned a lot about medical care and about myself. Be nice to yourself and your husband, and give yourself grace. Good wishes to you all!
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Thank you!
What is an ATM mutation?
Thank you so much
I'll see which they put him on tomorrow
What did they give you for chemo for the liver lesions?
Gemcitabine-Abraxane-Cisplatin
Those are the 3 main chemicals in this chemo treatment. I had surgery in 2022 and got the Fulfirnox chemo treatment which was good but didn’t affect the growth around my artery so it spread to liver as lesions. Usually in stage 4 they give you GAC because it’s not as harsh as Fulfirnox (which I had no trouble with by the way). I do see posts where plenty get Fulfirnox (modified) in stage 4, but maybe it’s just for those whose cancer was discovered at stage 4 and this is their first line of
treatment? As someone mentioned in some post, many drs line to follow protocol and that may just get you the safe, typical response. Don’t be afraid to get an oncologist who thinks outside the box, though! Hoping the best for you
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4 Reactions@bceg1969 , GAC is short for the 3-drug chemo combo of Gemcitabine + Abraxane + Cisplatin
Of the two longstanding chemo "Standard of Care" (SoC) regimens, Folfirinox is one, and Gemcitabine (aka Gemzar) is the common base of the other.
Gemcitabine is usually combined with one or the other (Gem more often than Cis, I believe) but sometimes both.
Cisplatin is "believed" to help patients with an ATM mutation.
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1 ReactionThat sounds hopeful
What does GAC stand for
I want to see if those are the chemo he puts my husband on tomorrow
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1 ReactionThank you very much for that information!
I will save it for my oncologist
@ncteacher
I’m stage 4 as well but discovered a high dose radiation treatment (NOT the same as SBRT that most oncologist know about) at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. It was 3 full weeks/5 days a week. I was able to be off chemo for 6 mos. Some people have gone considerably longer. There are very few places that do this method and Dr. Christopher Crane at MSK pioneered it so I went there. Maybe worth looking into for your situation. He’s very good at getting back to you and explaining the procedure. And we were set up at Hope Lodge and stayed for free.
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Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI had pancreatic cancer in 2022 (can’t believe that long ago!) and had surgery. Nov 2023 MRI found liver lesions and endoscopy dr said had it on hepatic/celiac artery. I also have some in my abdominal area. CT doesn’t show lesions as I think CT is for more 3-dimensional tumors. I’m receiving GAC chemo combo for these and there is a response as my CA19-9 went from 3840 to 550 after 3 treatments so far. Had to take week off though as my white blood count too low. Hoping you have the best oncologist out there.
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4 ReactionsYes,,Grace and Hope✝️🛐
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3 ReactionsHang in there! This is my third cancer diagnosis, and while I can't say I would have voluntarily chosen it, I've certainly learned a lot about medical care and about myself. Be nice to yourself and your husband, and give yourself grace. Good wishes to you all!
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Hug
4 Reactions