Q
: 1
12/07/2009 |
I am a 61-year-old woman and my recent FNA biopsy from 4 tumors indicated a tail tumor growth from 1.6cm to 2cm in 3 months, "low" amylase and CEA 800. There is also a small main tumor 4mm that was not biopsied along with multiple small tumors in the tail. I was called today to discuss surgery for the IPMNs. Does this mean I have cancer? Is surgery prudent or too radical of a suggestion?
This could possibly be early detection of cancer. You should be evaluated for surgery soon.
|
Q
: 2
11/16/2009 |
Can a patient who had stage 4 pancreatic cancer with mets to the liver have the Whipple procedure? Can a patient who has an occluded metal stent in the bile duct have a procedure to bypass the duct that doesn't involve the plastic external drains for the rest of their life?
Whipple procedure should not be performed in stage 4 disease. Non-operative stenting is effective without the risk of invasive surgery.
|
Q
: 3
10/15/2009 |
My sister-in-law is 45 and just found out she has pancreatic cancer. Her oncologist said that her cancer is stage IV and that treatment cannot be pursued until her jaundice subsides. Is there anything that can be done, or does she have to wait until it resolves itself?
She will need to have a stent placed in her bile duct which can be done through endoscopy(ERCP) or percutaneously through the liver(PTC).
|
Q
: 4
08/23/2009 |
I had the whipple procedure in 2004 for the removal of my
duodenal carcinoma. All of my tests have indicated remission, but I continue to experience daily bouts with extreme gas and bloating along with soreness along the incision line. I realize the surgery seriously altered my digestive system and that the surgery was quite invasive but are there measures I can take to reduce the discomfort I am experiencing?
Taking pancreatic enzyme supplements may help to ease the symptoms and discomfort you have described.
|
Q
: 5
07/06/2009 |
My mom was just diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her pancreas. Could taking red clover help in any way?
No. Your mother should be evaluated for surgery.
|
Q
: 6
06/26/2009 |
I was diagnosed with a pancreatic pseudocyst a while ago. Should this be monitored by CT Scan/MRI? Could it be, or turn into, pancreatic cancer?
CT scan should be adequate. Pseudocyst does not turn into cancer unless it is not a pseudocyst, but cystic neoplasm of the pancreas.
|
Q
: 7
06/22/2009 |
My daughter has been diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. She is a 38 and otherwise is in good health. What is your facility using for treatment when a patient has both of these cancers?
At this stage, systemic chemotherapy is the best option.
|
Q
: 8
04/22/2009 |
My father's doctors attempted to a Whipple resection on my father last week. They were unable to do the full procedure because the tumor, which is very large, surrounds the major arteries. He has been in severe pain and we are waiting for the results to come back so we will know what stage the cancer is in. From your experience, do you think that chemo and radiation can be effective?
Chemoradiation may help to shrink the tumor enough so that surgery can be reconsidered. However, surgery will not eradicate the tumor. At this stage, it is locally advanced.
|
Q
: 9
03/20/2009 |
I am 62 years old and just had a CT-Scan which revealed a tumor on my pancreas that has spread to my spleen and liver. The biopsy from the tumor on the liver confirms that it is an undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. My oncologist says that I am probably at the later stage of pancreatic cancer but I have no symptoms. Is there a reason for this? Does standard chemo improve the chance of survival?
It is not uncommon for pancreatic cancer to be without symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Survival is dependent on the extent of the liver's involvement and the body's response to therapy.
|
Q
: 10
03/10/2009 |
There are tumors growing on my dad's liver despite apparently having arrested the growth of tumors on his pancreas with chemotherapy. Can selective internal radiation therapy spheres be used in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer tumors on the liver? Do you have any advice on other treatments that may be effective?
Internal Radiation Therapy Spheres are not an option for metastatic pancreatic cancer to liver. Alternative options are limited by location, size and number of liver lesions, but can include stereotactic radiation, chemoembolization and experimental systemic chemo.
|
Q
: 11
01/06/2009 |
Can one be treated with chemotherapy along with holistic and alternative approach simutaneously? The patient is diabetic, had lymphoma in 1997, and pancreatic cancer in 2008. Pancreas and spleen were removed in November 2007. There's a high probability the cancer has returned. His oncologist suggests more chemo, but no radiation or further surgery. When asked if holistic approach (juicing or other alternative methods) would help, he said there is no medical proof that it helps, and if it were him, he'd get more chemo. Please help with any information you can share.
Your oncologist's opinion is correct. You can add holistic and alternative approaches to chemotherapy.
|
Q
: 12
11/20/2008 |
Following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, an MRI exam incidently showed a cyst in the head of the pancreas, 1.6 x 1.5 cm. in size. Subsequent CT and EUS exams diagnosed a mucinous neoplasm of the same size. FNA cytology was negative for malignancy. I have been asymptomatic. What proportion of small mucinous cysts develop into carcinoma? If such occurs, what duration of time would it require? Is it safe to monitor such small cysts?
About 75 percent of mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are malignant. CEA levels in cyst fluid help in identifying high risk. Most patients are symptomatic. If you are going to follow up with CT, do it every 6 months. If it gets bigger than 2-3 cm, it should be removed.
|
Q
: 13
11/18/2008 |
My 70-year-old father was diagnosed with possible pancreatic cancer. The tumor is located on the tail end of the pancreas and is about the size of a ping pong ball. It has been causing him pain and discomfort for several months. He is scheduled for surgery to remove a portion of the pancreas and the spleen. So far, it appears on the CT scan that the tumor is localized to the pancreas itself. If it is cancer, what is the prognosis for someone in his age and condition after surgery, chemo, etc?
The prognosis and further treatment recommendation for chemo and radiation is dependent on the pathology and staging of the tumor. Surgery is indicated, and is the only therapy for long term survival.
|
Q
: 14
09/11/2008 |
My father, 63, was diagnosed with pancreatic mass in uncinate process surrounding SMA and SMV and is unresectable per surgeon and was referred to medical oncologist. We had EUS FNA done twice already without diagnosis (atypical cells) and that's it. Scheduled for third procedure. Can an oncologist start treatment without definite biopsy results? With the time between appointments and waiting for the results we have lost at least a month.
If the images are convincing and the CA19-9 is greater than 1000, with all other reasons of mass excluded, it is not unreasonable to treat. Tissue diagnosis is always preferable, if possible.
|
Q
: 15
04/25/2008 |
My dad has unresectable pancreatic cancer. We did two operations with no benefit. It is locally advanced.
Is there anything we can do for him?
Chemo and radiation therapy would be most appropriate.
|
