Bile duct cancer

atlantagor

Hello,

 

 I was just digignosed with bile duct cancer and set for the whipple procedure in about a week, I am 48 and in good health and shape otherwise, but of course very nervous about this procedure, I have been told I am a great candidate for thi ssurgery and the cancer is local to the duct and has not spread, I ws just looking for soem post op information and what to expect in the time to come and the surgeons also stated Chemo may be needed

 

Thank you for any information

 

Oneshot

Atlantagor

While I didn't have bile duct cancer only. I had Pancreatic Cancer, that had spread to other organs. Including the bile duct area.  Like you I was 48 at the time (2008) and up until a week or so before in good health, or so I thought!  Needless to say. I did have the Whipple procedure . 

There are some other threads (in the dicussion area) on here that discuss the Whipple. Some are located in pancreatic , duadenium <sp> and gall bladder threads.  A word of warning. You have to understand each person's experience can be very different.  So keep that in mind as you read them!  

I would make sure you get a surgeon who is a specialist in the Whipple and a doctor who is a specialist in the type cancer you have.

Oneshot

 

 

Kaleena

Get an experienced doctor

As Oneshot said, you need to get a surgeon who specializes and has performed many Whipple procedures.   My husband has Pancreatic Cancer and in October was able to have the Whipple procedure.  He was 59 when the operation took place and is now 60.    They were able to do it robotically (which helps on the recovery time).   However, the procedure was much longer than anticipated.  As Oneshot said, everyone does have a different experience.   My husband's surgery they were worried about a vein where the tumor was against.   Luckily, the tumor lifted off the vein.  If it didn't they would have had to do an extensive vein resectioning.   That is why it is so important to get a really experienced Whipple procedure doctor.

After surgery of course you watch for infection, but also they don't want you losing too much weight.   My husband was a big guy and although he was happy to lose the weight he was able to stablilze the weight loss.  Although he wouldn't mind losing a few more pounds, he is just happy to be where he is.

Prior to the surgery, they did do some localize radiation - making a "cutting" line especially around that vein area.   He also did chemo before and after the surgery.   He never really missed work either.   Had the chemo on a Friday (it was a 48 hour chemo with a chemo pump and 4 "cocktails") and it was removed on a Sunday.  (6 treatments prior and 6 treatments after)  The only thing is if you get chemo before surgery and then after surgery, make sure on the after surgery they adjust the amount of chemo due to weight loss.

My best to you on your upcoming procedure.

Kathy