1. < Pancreatic Cancer

What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Posted by blw77 @blw77, Jun 6, 2022

Can anyone give me information on how their recovery was after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy? After 2 years of MRIs every 6 months and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow, my doctor said that I should have this procedure. I'm 45 and typically a fairly healthy and active female. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to be off of work or if I can manage to squeeze in in during the summer yet while I'm off.

Thank you for any information you have!

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ken240 | @ken240 | Feb 16, 2023
In reply to @kim1965 "@skkirby Hi, my wife is going in March 1st for this surgery. She was diagnosed April..." + (show)
@kim1965

@skkirby
Hi, my wife is going in March 1st for this surgery. She was diagnosed April 2022, has completed 9 cycles of chemo, and the doctors are ready to try to remove as much is left. She also is having lesions removed (20 maybe) on liver, and remove gall bladder as it gets all clogged up from all the chemo the past few months. Questions to you are, I've read if possible, if the spleen can be saved to be very beneficial long term, I understand if the cancer is on the spleen there may be no choice. Were you explained that before the surgery or not? Just trying to get questions ready for the surgeon before pre op appointment next week for her surgery. Was your surgery open surgery or laporadic? Any and all info you can share either questions to the surgeon or if you had to do the surgery again, and basic advice?

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If I may insert my own experience with my distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in July 2022. It was explained to me prior to surgery that they would try to save the spleen, but because it shares so many blood vessels with the pancreas, it is more efficient to remove the spleen. Without the spleen, I just need to keep up with vaccines to avoid certain infections, such as meningitis. My procedure was performed robot assisted, mostly laparoscopic, with five small incisions, and one slightly larger. No complications. After surgery for the IPMN, I did have stage 1b pancreatic cancer and am finishing chemo soon. But I feel that the initial surgery went very well. Let me know if you have any questions. Best wishes.

REPLY
kim1965 | @kim1965 | Feb 15, 2023
In reply to @skkirby "Hi there- I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021 with..." + (show)
@skkirby

Hi there-
I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021 with Dr. Cleary (Rochester Mayo). I was admitted for an 11 day stay. I would say its not a horrible recovery; but its a long one as I am a year and a half out from surgery and still have trouble laying flat. I just had to have scar tissue removed from the 6 inch incision and that was actually more painful than the initial surgery. I hope you are feeling better soon. If you need me to share more, or if you have additional questions please ask. I will be happy to share. Wishing you peace.

Sherry

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@skkirby
Hi, my wife is going in March 1st for this surgery. She was diagnosed April 2022, has completed 9 cycles of chemo, and the doctors are ready to try to remove as much is left. She also is having lesions removed (20 maybe) on liver, and remove gall bladder as it gets all clogged up from all the chemo the past few months. Questions to you are, I've read if possible, if the spleen can be saved to be very beneficial long term, I understand if the cancer is on the spleen there may be no choice. Were you explained that before the surgery or not? Just trying to get questions ready for the surgeon before pre op appointment next week for her surgery. Was your surgery open surgery or laporadic? Any and all info you can share either questions to the surgeon or if you had to do the surgery again, and basic advice?

REPLY
2 replies
skiball | @skiball | Feb 13, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "There is a difference, but that's above my pay-grade :-) - Comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics and..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

There is a difference, but that's above my pay-grade 🙂
- Comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes between invasive IPMN and invasive MCN: A population-based analysis https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.899761/full#:~:text=IPMN%20is%20a%20mucin%2Dproducing,IPMN%20and%20MCN%20(7).
- Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Different Types, Different Management, New Guidelines https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/489641

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Thank you!

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 12, 2023
In reply to @skiball "Thanks Colleen. I have been told mine is IPMN intraductul pappilary mucinous neoplasm. Wonder if they..." + (show)
@skiball

Thanks Colleen. I have been told mine is IPMN intraductul pappilary mucinous neoplasm. Wonder if they are one and the same?

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There is a difference, but that's above my pay-grade 🙂
- Comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes between invasive IPMN and invasive MCN: A population-based analysis https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.899761/full#:~:text=IPMN%20is%20a%20mucin%2Dproducing,IPMN%20and%20MCN%20(7).
- Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Different Types, Different Management, New Guidelines https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/489641

REPLY
1 reply
skiball | @skiball | Feb 12, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@skiball and @shezza51, I believe when @blw77 said "...and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow,..."..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@skiball and @shezza51, I believe when @blw77 said "...and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow,..." MNC refers to Mucinous Nonneoplastic Cyst of the pancreas.

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Thanks Colleen. I have been told mine is IPMN intraductul pappilary mucinous neoplasm. Wonder if they are one and the same?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 12, 2023
In reply to @shezza51 "Whats an MNC please ?" + (show)
@shezza51

Whats an MNC please ?

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@skiball and @shezza51, I believe when @blw77 said "...and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow,..." MNC refers to Mucinous Nonneoplastic Cyst of the pancreas.

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1 reply
Sherry | @skkirby | Feb 3, 2023
In reply to @snd "What kind of tumor did you have plz?" + (show)
@snd

What kind of tumor did you have plz?

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Hi there-
I had a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor of the Islet cells.
Can I help you further or answer any additional questions? Glad to help if I am able to.

Warmest Regards,
Sherry

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shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023

Hi there
What is an MNC please ?

REPLY
1 reply
shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @skiball "Were you told that a main duct was dilated? If so, how much?" + (show)
@skiball

Were you told that a main duct was dilated? If so, how much?

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No i wasnt told that
Public hospital patient not private
Get the minmum of info i think

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gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @shezza51 "Thats great you were lucky--was it for cancer ? Mine was going to be laparoscope but..." + (show)
@shezza51

Thats great you were lucky--was it for cancer ?
Mine was going to be laparoscope but cysts were entangled hence changed to open surgery and to prevent cancer developing
(pre-cancerous cysts)

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Yes. Diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in the tail with liver Mets.

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