pancreatic cancer

poinksy
poinksy Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
Hi, Has anyone ever been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer via a scan only? My Dad has been told that he has inoperable pancreatic cancer and liver lesions. He has had no weight loss, no abnormal blood test, liver function test is perfect, no pain, no jaundice, still loves his food. Infact he's very well indeed! The only thing he's had recently is phlebitis.

Comments

  • Khope
    Khope Member Posts: 4
    #2
    Never heard of that. I would
    Never heard of that. I would get a second opinion and possibly a biopsy of the tumor. My mom had a procedure done called EUS. They get tissue samples to find out for sure if the tumor is malignant. I would also get a CA-19 blood test. Goodluck, hope everything works out.
  • diane227
    diane227 Member Posts: 1
    #3
    pancreatic cancer
    I was diagnosed with it via a endoscopic ultra sound. Only symptom I had was pancreatitis x2 I am not a drinker and had no symptoms except discomfort on "right" side thinking gallbladder. CT scan showed sl dilated duct. MD's thought maybe a microscopic stone. Boy were they wrong. I had no other symptoms. MD sent me to Boston just to check it out and be on safe side, did not think anything was going to come about it. Surgeon said I have probably had tumor for about 5-10 years. Thank God the pain radiated over to the left side or they would never have found it. I have stage II, I am only 49 years old,worked 70hrs a week, felt fine. Had operation, going thru chemo and radiation now. Have to keep praying. Good Luck. With the enoscopic ultra sound I also had tissue biopsies done that came back suspicious. That is when I saw the surgeon the NEXT DAY and had the OPERATION 2 DAYS LATER.
  • poinksy
    poinksy Member Posts: 2
    #4
    diane227 said:

    pancreatic cancer
    I was diagnosed with it via a endoscopic ultra sound. Only symptom I had was pancreatitis x2 I am not a drinker and had no symptoms except discomfort on "right" side thinking gallbladder. CT scan showed sl dilated duct. MD's thought maybe a microscopic stone. Boy were they wrong. I had no other symptoms. MD sent me to Boston just to check it out and be on safe side, did not think anything was going to come about it. Surgeon said I have probably had tumor for about 5-10 years. Thank God the pain radiated over to the left side or they would never have found it. I have stage II, I am only 49 years old,worked 70hrs a week, felt fine. Had operation, going thru chemo and radiation now. Have to keep praying. Good Luck. With the enoscopic ultra sound I also had tissue biopsies done that came back suspicious. That is when I saw the surgeon the NEXT DAY and had the OPERATION 2 DAYS LATER.

    pancreatic cancer
    Thanks for your informative reply. Interesting that you also lacked the common symptoms. I'm hoping that the Drs have got it wrong. I've read about autoimmune pancreatitis with liver involvement so i'm hoping that he has that. Wishful thinking no doubt, but have to hope.
    You sound like a strong person and have every chance of beating this thing! Keep strong and I truely wish you well.
  • michaelcollins
    michaelcollins Member Posts: 4
    #5
    poinksy said:

    pancreatic cancer
    Thanks for your informative reply. Interesting that you also lacked the common symptoms. I'm hoping that the Drs have got it wrong. I've read about autoimmune pancreatitis with liver involvement so i'm hoping that he has that. Wishful thinking no doubt, but have to hope.
    You sound like a strong person and have every chance of beating this thing! Keep strong and I truely wish you well.

    pancreatic cancer
    please see the topic on this board about turmeric for treatment of pancreatic cnacer. they are doing clinical trials at Anderson for the 2nd time. god bless and good luick
  • unicorn1209
    unicorn1209 Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis
    My darlings pancreatic cancer was diagnosed through a CAT scan only and then verified with a biopsy and CA19-9 blood test.... The only sympton she had prior to dagnosis was newly diagnosed diabetes and pain in her back..... At the time of the scan she had quite a large tumor on her pancreas as well as liver lesions and peritoneal carcinomas. This was 5/2010.

    She had been treating with GEMZAR only and it's not working and the cancer has now spread to the omentum and other locations in the abdomen. She's on a new chemo regimen as of yesterday with 5FU over 48 hours, Oxy ?? and Campostar. Hoping this works,,
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #7
    unicorn1209 said:

    Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis
    My darlings pancreatic cancer was diagnosed through a CAT scan only and then verified with a biopsy and CA19-9 blood test.... The only sympton she had prior to dagnosis was newly diagnosed diabetes and pain in her back..... At the time of the scan she had quite a large tumor on her pancreas as well as liver lesions and peritoneal carcinomas. This was 5/2010.

    She had been treating with GEMZAR only and it's not working and the cancer has now spread to the omentum and other locations in the abdomen. She's on a new chemo regimen as of yesterday with 5FU over 48 hours, Oxy ?? and Campostar. Hoping this works,,

    Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
    My brother was diagnoised with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer August 16th, 2010. The cancer has spread to the liver, the intestines and the duodenum, they said that there is an entire sheet of cancer cells within the abdominal cavity. Our local oncologist said 3 weeks to 6 months. The doctor at Moffitt said that if he started Chemo that it could extend his life to 11 months. Our entire family is in shock and we do not know what to do or how to handle this. Jeff has gone through one round of Chemo and it was really hard on him. He did not eat at all for about 4 days after the chemo treatment but did drink some of the Nutrition drinks. He never actually got sick but he was so nauseous and the smell of food did not agree with him at all. His pain level is really high and he is on Morphine non stop. His stomach and feet are so swollen, he says that he feels as if his stomach might explode. He sleeps alot and seems very agitated at times. Please do not think that I am being insensitive I am just trying to lay it all out there and hopefully I can get some answers as to how to help him and get some idea of what we can expect.
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #8
    unicorn1209 said:

    Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis
    My darlings pancreatic cancer was diagnosed through a CAT scan only and then verified with a biopsy and CA19-9 blood test.... The only sympton she had prior to dagnosis was newly diagnosed diabetes and pain in her back..... At the time of the scan she had quite a large tumor on her pancreas as well as liver lesions and peritoneal carcinomas. This was 5/2010.

    She had been treating with GEMZAR only and it's not working and the cancer has now spread to the omentum and other locations in the abdomen. She's on a new chemo regimen as of yesterday with 5FU over 48 hours, Oxy ?? and Campostar. Hoping this works,,

    pancreatic Cancer
    My brother also is on the F 5 for 48 hours after his other chemo drugs. He is on a 21 day cycle and the treatment is for 3 days.
  • susandabbott
    susandabbott Member Posts: 1
    #9
    unicorn1209 said:

    Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis
    My darlings pancreatic cancer was diagnosed through a CAT scan only and then verified with a biopsy and CA19-9 blood test.... The only sympton she had prior to dagnosis was newly diagnosed diabetes and pain in her back..... At the time of the scan she had quite a large tumor on her pancreas as well as liver lesions and peritoneal carcinomas. This was 5/2010.

    She had been treating with GEMZAR only and it's not working and the cancer has now spread to the omentum and other locations in the abdomen. She's on a new chemo regimen as of yesterday with 5FU over 48 hours, Oxy ?? and Campostar. Hoping this works,,

    Pancreatic cancer
    Hi Unicorn,

    I am in the same place as your "darling." I had adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with 3 lymph nodes involved but no apparent involvement of any other organ. I had surgery in March, and have been on GEMZAR for 6 months. On Tuesday of this week I was told a CAT scan along with my CA19 count indicated that the cancer was back in the same place it started and in a small spot on my liver. What is 5FU, Oxy and Campostar? Where is she being treated? What did they tell you about prognosis? My oncologist is presenting my case to his hospital's tumor board to see if anyone has any bright ideas, and he is also contacting Sloan Kettering in New York and MD Anderson in Houston about drug trials. But I'm going crazy waiting for that to happen and feel like I need to be proactive in my own defense. Anything you can tell me would be helpful. Thanks and good luck to you and your "darling."

    Susan
  • chuck1943
    chuck1943 Member Posts: 1
    #10
    diane227 said:

    pancreatic cancer
    I was diagnosed with it via a endoscopic ultra sound. Only symptom I had was pancreatitis x2 I am not a drinker and had no symptoms except discomfort on "right" side thinking gallbladder. CT scan showed sl dilated duct. MD's thought maybe a microscopic stone. Boy were they wrong. I had no other symptoms. MD sent me to Boston just to check it out and be on safe side, did not think anything was going to come about it. Surgeon said I have probably had tumor for about 5-10 years. Thank God the pain radiated over to the left side or they would never have found it. I have stage II, I am only 49 years old,worked 70hrs a week, felt fine. Had operation, going thru chemo and radiation now. Have to keep praying. Good Luck. With the enoscopic ultra sound I also had tissue biopsies done that came back suspicious. That is when I saw the surgeon the NEXT DAY and had the OPERATION 2 DAYS LATER.

    boston treatment
    could you tell where in boston your being treated? i just finished 7 months of chemo and radiation. had whipple december 31 and treatments at beth isreal deaconess and was courious where your being treated. thanks....chuck
  • Tinkerpell70
    Tinkerpell70 Member Posts: 2
    #11
    rankind said:

    Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
    My brother was diagnoised with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer August 16th, 2010. The cancer has spread to the liver, the intestines and the duodenum, they said that there is an entire sheet of cancer cells within the abdominal cavity. Our local oncologist said 3 weeks to 6 months. The doctor at Moffitt said that if he started Chemo that it could extend his life to 11 months. Our entire family is in shock and we do not know what to do or how to handle this. Jeff has gone through one round of Chemo and it was really hard on him. He did not eat at all for about 4 days after the chemo treatment but did drink some of the Nutrition drinks. He never actually got sick but he was so nauseous and the smell of food did not agree with him at all. His pain level is really high and he is on Morphine non stop. His stomach and feet are so swollen, he says that he feels as if his stomach might explode. He sleeps alot and seems very agitated at times. Please do not think that I am being insensitive I am just trying to lay it all out there and hopefully I can get some answers as to how to help him and get some idea of what we can expect.

    My sister
    Rankind:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My 41 Y/O sister just started chemo yesterday for stage IV Pancreatic inoperable cancer and she is extremely sick today, we are at the same place you were a few weeks ago... It's devastating to watch someone you love go through this... You go through so many emotions all at the same time! I feel for you and your family... Just stick together and you will get through this no matter what the outcome... remember to live each day with no words unsaid and hugs unhugged kisses unkissed... God Bless
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #12
    Tinkerpell70 said:

    My sister
    Rankind:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My 41 Y/O sister just started chemo yesterday for stage IV Pancreatic inoperable cancer and she is extremely sick today, we are at the same place you were a few weeks ago... It's devastating to watch someone you love go through this... You go through so many emotions all at the same time! I feel for you and your family... Just stick together and you will get through this no matter what the outcome... remember to live each day with no words unsaid and hugs unhugged kisses unkissed... God Bless

    Times of tough
    Jeff went through his second round of Chemo on Thursday and on Friday they removed 10 liters of fluid from his stomach. His pain level was out of this world that night. Other than the tiredness he seems to be doing better with this round of Chemo. Seems to be eating better, he went 5 days last month without eating anything. It is helpful to keep a journal so that you can compare who the patients are doing each round. Prayers for you and your sister. We can only hold on to our faith. One thing we all learned from Jeff and the doctors agreed is that if they say they are not hungry after the Chemo do not force the issue. Hope to hear from you again soon and hope everything is going as well as can be expected.
  • joan69
    joan69 Member Posts: 3
    #13
    susandabbott said:

    Pancreatic cancer
    Hi Unicorn,

    I am in the same place as your "darling." I had adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with 3 lymph nodes involved but no apparent involvement of any other organ. I had surgery in March, and have been on GEMZAR for 6 months. On Tuesday of this week I was told a CAT scan along with my CA19 count indicated that the cancer was back in the same place it started and in a small spot on my liver. What is 5FU, Oxy and Campostar? Where is she being treated? What did they tell you about prognosis? My oncologist is presenting my case to his hospital's tumor board to see if anyone has any bright ideas, and he is also contacting Sloan Kettering in New York and MD Anderson in Houston about drug trials. But I'm going crazy waiting for that to happen and feel like I need to be proactive in my own defense. Anything you can tell me would be helpful. Thanks and good luck to you and your "darling."

    Susan

    susan.
    reading your was so
    susan.
    reading your was so upsetting since it sounded like mine, Im on gemzar, will start the third month next week and I so worry it will show again in same area or liver.
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #14
    Tinkerpell70 said:

    My sister
    Rankind:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My 41 Y/O sister just started chemo yesterday for stage IV Pancreatic inoperable cancer and she is extremely sick today, we are at the same place you were a few weeks ago... It's devastating to watch someone you love go through this... You go through so many emotions all at the same time! I feel for you and your family... Just stick together and you will get through this no matter what the outcome... remember to live each day with no words unsaid and hugs unhugged kisses unkissed... God Bless

    Tinkerpell70
    Thank you for your warm words and you can bet that I will not miss the chance for a hug from my dear brother. How is your sister doing since her chemo treatment. Your are right about the many emotions that you go through. You try so hard to be positive and then all this other stuff come in on you and you just have to fight it. Your sister is about 15 years younger than my brother so I am praying that she will have the stregth to fight. My brother talked to a survivor of 9 years the other night and it really seemed to help him and his spirits. He has done a little better since his second round of chemo but the main problem seems to be fatigue. If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to ask.
    Thanks
    Rankind
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #15
    Tinkerpell70 said:

    My sister
    Rankind:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My 41 Y/O sister just started chemo yesterday for stage IV Pancreatic inoperable cancer and she is extremely sick today, we are at the same place you were a few weeks ago... It's devastating to watch someone you love go through this... You go through so many emotions all at the same time! I feel for you and your family... Just stick together and you will get through this no matter what the outcome... remember to live each day with no words unsaid and hugs unhugged kisses unkissed... God Bless

    thinking of you
    Tinkerpell,
    Just wanted to check in on you and your sister and see how things were going. Jeff just finished his third rounnd of chemo and seems to be doing really well. Of course we don't know what is going on inside his body but he is eating a little and actually laughs and talks some. Please let me know how your sister is doing. I have been thinking about the two of you and just wanted to drop you a line.

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