Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

CA19-9 of a single reading is not of much value at this point. It is only a single datapoint in time and is too early to indicate a trend when chemo is just starting. It is a well known, documented fact with mode of action elucidated by researches as to the cause of the observation in its rise at the start of chemo.

This scientific paper will explain about tumor burden, CA19-9 and the rate-limiting factor of the liver enzyme that has to process a growing backlog of CA19-9 being released as chemo begins causing cell death through DNA damage resulting in the process of apoptosis.

Increase in CA19-9 in early chemotherapy treatment cycles
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294221000952
(This was the article I was looking for topost to your DM inquiry on Reddit).

Hello,
My 73yo dad was diagnosed last month with a 2.9 lesion on the head. His CA19-9 was 8000. The scans showed no spread. He is a candidate for whipple but they will start with folfirnox first and after surgery. The CA19-9 is very alarming. He is supposed to start chemo friday 12/13 but his CA19-9 just came back 10000. Pet scan and ct scans still show no spread. Why is his level so high ?

In my case, the surgeon did an exploratory “look” before scheduling surgery. In fact, that took place months before he felt I was surgically ready with the most curative outcome.

Massachusetts. They stopped the surgery because there was a spot on his liver

@gisele1976
Sometimes or usually the surgeon starts with laparoscopy before surgery. This is where they make a few cuts into the lower abdominal area to see if there are any vessels wrapped around the tumor and if so, then they must abort the original intended surgery. Is this what happened in your case? There are centers of pancreatic excellence that deal with this delicate type of surgery. Which state or country are you located?

I am the wife and support person of a pancreatic cancer sufferer. He just had an aborted Whipple procedure last month. I am here for educational purposes and support for both of us.

Hello @pierre59
Are you receiving chemotherapy and/or scheduled for a distal surgery? I had my distal surgery 2 years ago. It’s so amazing that this forum connects us all over the world! How are you feeling now?

@rotan50
I am also in atlanta area. Diagnosed stage IV in 2021 and still kicking!
Good care with very experienced physicians is critical. I will DM you.

Dr. Eddie Abdallah at https://atlantaliverandpancreas.com/ is very well respected in your area.

Hopefully @gamaryanne can chime in or contact you directly with more info.

Thx