Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Thank you. I am 84 and have been told by two different doctors that I am not candidate for the Whipple surgery. May I ask where you had surgery and what doctor performed the procedure?

I'm wondering about your age precluding your not being able to have the Whipple. I had my Whipple at 83 years old; I'm 85 now and still hanging in there. Perhaps another opinion if your age is similar to mine. Courage, Carrie

If the neoplasm is diagnosed as malignant, cancers of the pancreas need to be treated at a high volume pancreas program such as those found at a National Cancer Institute Center of Excellence or a National Pancreas Foundation recommended comprehensive cancer center using a multidisplinary team approach. This is not the type of cancer to be treated at a community hospital or medical center. It requires a GI oncologist whose specialty is cancers of the pancreas.

In Camden is Cooper Medical,Center which is affiliated with MD Anderson. The Cancer Institute of NJ/Rutgers Medical School is the only NCI designated Center of Excellence and has a pancreas program. In Philadelphia, Fox Chase Cancer Institute in NE Philadelphia is an NCI Center of Excellence with a very good pancreas program. Thomas Jefferson University Medical Center in Philadelphia is a NPF recommended center with a noted pancreas program.

There were no symptoms and we discovered the tumour by chance. No pain, no discomfort, no digestive problems. We did not know any surgeons or oncologists; and we Googled, called up doctors we knew etc. You can do this - be calm; no time to be frightened; move forward systematically; ask questions of all your doctors.

Yes I live in Absecon NJ. Really wanted to go to penn but they didn't take my insurance.

Tumour was removed and it was cancerous. You see a surgeon and an oncologist - both specializing in the pancreas, liver and digestive system. Perhaps you can let people in this forum know which area you live in and people may have suggestions.

So they just took the tumor out? Did it turn out to be cancer? Did you have pain prior to it getting removed? I don’t know what to do or who to see

I have a precancerous pancreatic cyst discovered incidentally when screening for another complaint. I have undergone two Endoscopic Ultrasounds, but due to my anatomical abnormality, no biopsy was performed. ( I think that a prior hiatal surgery rearranged my abdomen) Because of my advanced age, I am not a candidate for the Whipple surgery. Thus, I am currently in a surveillance situation having scans every six months. The size of the cyst is a critical concern; however, the location of the cyst preclude removal of the cyst without the Whipple procedure. What other options do I have? Anyone with a similar experience?

Not standard. Generally they do a PET scan with contrast first. Just ask more questions if you have not already done a PET scan. Our surgeon told us after the PET scan that it was likely cancerous and he did not think it was necessary to poke around the pancreas to get as sample for testing. The tumour was sent for biopsy after surgery to check for cancer and for gene mutation.

Just got diagnosed with acinar carcinoma. The tumor has not metastasized thank goodness, but still not a candidate for surgery. Starting chemo next week, Folfirinox. Hoping for the best and looking for a second opinion and possibly a trial.