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Is Whipple surgery recommended for 81-year old?

Posted by alisonsullivan203 @alisonsullivan203, Aug 19, 2025

My 81 year-old mom has just been diagnosed with stage 2A pancreatic cancer. She is otherwise in good health - other than the new diabetes and some lasting jaundice symptoms after her stent was put in last week. She is eligible for the Whipple procedure, but the medical oncologist we talked to almost seemed like she was trying to talk my mom out of it. Made it seem like it was a horrible surgery, that her digestion will never be the same, that the chemo and radiation was a better option. Anyone else have experience with the Whipple in older patients? Is there a laparoscopic option as an alternative to the Whipple?

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ruch66 | @ruch66 | Dec 5, 2025
In reply to @ruch66 "My mother has a rather large lesion in this area. The part they can see was..." + (show)
Profile picture for ruch66 @ruch66

My mother has a rather large lesion in this area. The part they can see was tested is not cancer right now. They are recommending she get the procedure done. She had a bleed that dropped her red blood count fairly low and she has had about three transfusions. They said this lesion/mass was the cause. They did put a stent in as well.She did have a minor heart attack about 8 months ago. She feels fine and is not in any pain. Her blood work came back excellent.Is this procedure worth it for her?The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is where this procedure could take place. Thanks for reading.

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Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the responses. On the advice of her doctor who put her stent in, she is going to meet and talk with the surgeon to get his thoughts. Given her age and heart issues, she is leaning against the procedure for the time being.

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