Whipple or no Whipple?

Think she mentioned she regrets having the procedure. Due to the removal of all of her pancreas..

@casey1959 . My pancreas was not totally removed. It had shrunk.

@casey1959 had whipper in October, I was at stage 2B, whipple procedure seems like the standard care now. I do have pain, going through chemotherapy I’m half way done and after chemo comes radiation. Everyone is different however in my case even though it’s not easy it is worth it if it’s giving me more time with my family. I spoke with a retired doctor stage 4, 8 years ago, he told me never a good time for cancer but now it’s the best time because of treatment and new drugs on market. So question as is how much does he wanna continue here? To me it’s worth it. He should fight it like most of us. Good luck! God Bless everyone!!!!

@casey1959 When is the appointment?

@tomrennie was last Thursday. Met with his original surgeon & also a new team member . Another surgeon who specializes in Pancreatic tumors . We were informed his Cat Scan performed 10 days ago didn't go as well as surgeons anticipated. They reworded what they needed from the radiologists. So now back to get another set of images. Preying the tumor is up against the arteries & not wrapping around it. A much more difficult procedure if it is. Husband says only going through with it all if the scan shows positively the tumor is at a better Surgical location. He's tired of the stalls ECT. Had 2 biopsies back in October 2024. Both were inconclusive. Not a viable specimen. Took 9 months to finally get a clear reading. Also 2 stents failed before a metal stent was placed. Of which we were told is a 1 year stent. ( May).

@casey1959 it was cancer in the bile duct and pancreas had shrunk so it did work.

@casey1959
Does the stent rule out radiation? My tumor was encircling the SMV and abutting the SMA. Chemo was unsuccessful and I was told that Whipple was not an option. I then had the SBRT radiation, 5 treatments over 15 days, hoping that there would be at least a 25% shrinkage to make me eligible for the Nano-knife procedure. The radiation was so successful, with an almost 50% shrinkage and no longer touching artery and only partially the vein so I was back on for the Whipple. They did an endoscopic ultrasound to get a better look. I had the surgery 3 months ago and am doing o.k. The surgeon had explained that they would do a preliminary "look see" surgically and if all looked good, she would proceed with the Whipple. All went well. I am dealing with some digestive issues, but they are resolving with Creon trial and error. This was all done at CPMC in San Francisco. Surgery was done by Dr. Kimberly Dalal. There are many ways to deal with this. I was originally diagnosed in December of 2024. I encourage you to keep on trying.

I guess I just jump into this forum. Still in discovery stage. My 85-yr. Old healthy husband through a weird set of circumstances, found out he has a solid mass 2.6 cm at the neck of his pancreas situated next to portal vein. First biopsy and brushing were at a local hospital, and they came back non-malignant.
We’re going to UVA in Charlottesville, VA for new biopsy, etc. the care here is already 100% better! They’re saying 90% sure it’s cancer. We have a world-renowned gastroenterologist performing the biopsy, and theyve already set up appt. w/oncologist to determine purse of chemotherapy.
What I love about this team is that they treat my husband as a human in need of medical attention, or like an invisible old man!
We need lots of prayers. We know we have a long row to hoe.
Thanks for letting me share. I really need this outlet.
J

@casey1959 My 73 year old wife has locally advanced pancreatic cancer and opted not to have the Whipple after getting the opinions of 3 surgeons. My wife's tumor is wrapped around the SMV and SMA arteries. Dr. Truty of Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN (https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/truty-mark-j-m-d-m-s/bio-20055639), told her that her surgery would be "way beyond a Whipple". Dr. Truty is nationally known for doing "tricky" Whipple's. He was very forthcoming on what the surgery might do to my wife's quality of life if she elected to have it done. He told her she wouldn't feel as good as she did when we met. He also told us that neither chemo nor radiation would shrink the tumor off of the arteries. Dr. Truty was totally honest and we are very glad we went to see him. Before going to Mayo, my wife had 11 rounds of folfirinox (which shrunk the tumor a significant amount) and after visiting with Dr. Truty had radiation done at Dana Farber in Boston since they have an MRI guided radiation machine (Linac?) which allowed for intensive doses over 5 days. So far, knock on wood, no evidence of spread! You're facing a very tough decision and I wish you good luck in that and in combatting the cancer!

@johnny1955 actually the pancreas did not work.