Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Q&A July 21-25 w/ Dr. Poruk, Mayo Clinic

Posted by katherineporukmd @katherineporukmd, Jul 17 4:36pm

Meet Dr. Katherine Poruk, a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in complex pancreatic cancer surgeries. Dr. Poruk and her team have performed high volumes of both robotic and open Whipple procedures, and her research focuses on improving outcomes through advanced surgical techniques, precision medicine, and multidisciplinary care.

To learn more about Dr. Poruk and pancreatic cancer surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida, please visit: https://careinfo.mayoclinic.org/pancreatic-cancer-surgery-fl

During the week of July 21-25, Dr. Poruk will be available to answer your questions about pancreatic cancer surgery here in this discussion thread.

Please note: This Q&A is for informational purposes only and cannot provide individualized medical advice.

Submit your question by commenting below before 9 a.m. ET on Friday, July 25. You’ll receive a Mayo Clinic Connect notification when Dr. Poruk replies to your question.

You can start submitting questions now — we look forward to hearing from you! What would you like to ask Dr. Poruk?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

marienewland | @mnewland99 | Jul 18 1:40am

What is the best treatment for pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to the peritoneum? Is surgery an option? Do you know which pancreatic mutations are typically seen responsible for peritoneal cancer?
Thank you!

lb299950 | @lb299950 | Jul 18 11:47am

Hello Doctor: My wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February. It was found to have metasized to her liver. She is currently receiving chemotherapy. What conditions are necessary for her to become a Whipple surgical candidate? Thank you

lb299950 | @lb299950 | Jul 18 11:50am

As an aside, her recent June scan shows the tumor decreasing. Is radiation a possibility as some point? If so, at a particular size? Thank you again

hakanb | @hakanb | Jul 18 12:28pm

Hello doctor, diagnosed August 2023, 12 folfirinox, 3 months gemcitabine chemotherapy. Liver metastases were destroyed by ablation operation.
Today it metastasized to the liver again.
I have no pain, I have not lost weight, my daily life continues the same. My doctor said your pancreatic cancer doesn't fit the book. Immunotherapy will start.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for treatment?

Translate : deepl

hakanb | @hakanb | Jul 19 1:12am

I also have another question, is Cryoablation a good treatment for me?b. Thank you doctor

gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jul 20 7:47am

Dr question:
Do you find that SBRT designates the target tumor but may also “awaken” dormant cancer cells?

Also, if someone is NED, how long should one continue systemic therapy to hopefully accomplish “cured”?

carneydh | @carneydh | Jul 20 2:55pm

Hello,
I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with a tumor in the head of my pancreas in June 2023. My CA 19-9 was 9700. I did three months of chemo, which brought my CA19-9 down to 150, and had it removed at UCSF in January 2024. I did three more months of chemo after my surgery. This brought my CA 19-9 down to 35. I went off the chemo for 4 months and my CA 19-9 went to 4000, so back on the chemo. I have had scans every 3 months since the surgery and all have been clear. My oncologist at UCSF says forget the CA 19 -9 and just go by the scans. My local oncologist thinks I should stay on the chemo. What is your opinion?

0083a | @0083a | Jul 20 4:15pm

hi DR mine 5 year has neuroblastoma stage 4 mass in the pancreas after taking 4 rounds chemo it went from 2.2x2.2
to 2.1x1.8 a bit of different so let me ask so with way is good to go OR proton radiation therapy and immune therapy it calls naxitamab 3F8 5 rounds of 3f8 naxitamab with a small dose of chemo that dose not infect the immune system OR rather surgery that will take 50 percent pancreas WITH the spelean together that can cues big risk in the coming days and years she has still spots near her neck i mean neuroblastoma cancer spots also a lot of stage 4 cases ur relapsing with out this parts she can Dei easy but if i make surgery i can take out the hole mass with out leaving any think behind ? thanks i am looking for a good encer thanks

0083a | @0083a | Jul 20 4:17pm

5 year child

reiki234 | @reiki234 | Jul 20 9:11pm

Has anyone had ampullary cancer and had the Whipple Procedure?
Posted by reiki234 @reiki234, 5 days ago
I was diagnosed with ampullary cancer as I had a blockage to my bile duct and had the Whipple Procedure which I am recuperating from and it has been 6 weeks recovery this week. Luckily the mass (stage 2) was taken out and it did not go beyond the margins and my 16 lymph nodes are fine. So technically at this point I am cancer free or in remission. I was referred to a cancer specialist to talk about preventative cancer which would be a 6month aggressive chemo and radiation treatments. If I have the treatment I asked what would be the recurrence factor and the doctor says 50/50. I also add that there is no real data for patients with this cancer as my doctor told me as it is a rare cancer but not uncommon. Please let me know if you have any insights regarding this type of cancer and your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!