New Pancreatic Tumor

FTHINU · New User Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 7 Location: VA

I am a 35 year old female with an tumor on the Head of my pancreas. I have had 3 Cat Scans which all see the 2.5cm by 3cm neoplasm. I have had a normal ca19 9. I have elevated bilirubin and amylase values. I went to the ER with Nausea, and upper abdominal pain. Right know I have back pain and Nausea and difficulty with foods.

My question is I am scheduled for an Biopsy to see if it is benign or cancerous. I am concerned however because it has been a month and I am still waiting on what to do next. Is it normal to wait this long. Also they state becaue I am so young I should have nothing to worry about. The Doctor states that Only if the biopsy shows something, He will do the Whipple and if not will watch it till it is bigger than do the Whipple.

When is the right time to do the WHipple and how extensive is it. I am new to all of this and need some help.

freeio · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: Whipple

The Whipple procedure is a very major surgery, and so the doctors try to only do it if it is absolutely necessary. It sounds like there may be blockage of your bile duct (causing the elevated biliruben, pain, and probably some itching). This is how my pancreatic cancer was discovered nearly three years ago - I had elevated biliruben, which turned the whites of my eyes yellow, and then after a while turned all of me yellow, and I itched and hurt all over.

As for the timing, I have come to call this "medical standard time." Things happen when they happen, and it is most frustrating. I have not been able to regularly speed things up. Part of this is that there are only so many oncologists, and they are booked solid, most of the time.

The key here is to be dealing with the best medical team you possibly can. After my initial diagnosis, they sent me to a major cancer center, where they have all of the personnel and tools to quickly run the tests, and then have all the staff and facilities to follow up quickly. When you are dealing with cancer, the best treatment is required, since cancer of any sort is a challenge to treat. Pancreatic cancer is especially difficult if it gets very far along, since it spreads to other parts of the body very easily. So please make sure that if you a are not already dealing with a major cancer center, that you get an immediate referral and go. Yes, the difference of a few weeks can make a big differrence with PC.

For my perspective on pancreatic cancer and its treatment, including a page on the Whipple procedure, chemotherapy, and other things, please see my pancreatic cancer blog listed below.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

FTHINU · New User Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 7 Location: VA

Thanks for the Reply, I was getting alittle worried. I had looked at how many times peoples questions were viewed compared to how many replys. I was just praying that someone would read my question, and the Lord provide you. I have been on line all day looking for a Larger Cancer Clinic. There are two that I can go two. John Hopkins in Maryland, and MAYO clinic in JAcksonville, FL. So I am going to call on Monday. I just want to be provided with the best. I am a single mother and know that I need to look after my family and me first. I read your blog, very informative and wonderful that you have a testimony of Chirst. I too have a strong testimony and as my name is FTHINU I believe in Him!!! I am having alot of back pain, what do you do for that. I normally don't take any meds but it is very bad lately? Thanks again, and I am going to be posting more as I find out more.

quote="freeio"]The Whipple procedure is a very major surgery, and so

the doctors try to only do it if it is absolutely necessary. It sounds like there may be blockage of your bile duct (causing the elevated biliruben, pain, and probably some itching). This is how my pancreatic cancer was discovered nearly three years ago - I had elevated biliruben, which turned the whites of my eyes yellow, and then after a while turned all of me yellow, and I itched and hurt all over.

As for the timing, I have come to call this "medical standard time." Things happen when they happen, and it is most frustrating. I have not been able to regularly speed things up. Part of this is that there are only so many oncologists, and they are booked solid, most of the time.

The key here is to be dealing with the best medical team you possibly can. After my initial diagnosis, they sent me to a major cancer center, where they have all of the personnel and tools to quickly run the tests, and then have all the staff and facilities to follow up quickly. When you are dealing with cancer, the best treatment is required, since cancer of any sort is a challenge to treat. Pancreatic cancer is especially difficult if it gets very far along, since it spreads to other parts of the body very easily. So please make sure that if you a are not already dealing with a major cancer center, that you get an immediate referral and go. Yes, the difference of a few weeks can make a big differrence with PC.

For my perspective on pancreatic cancer and its treatment, including a page on the Whipple procedure, chemotherapy, and other things, please see my pancreatic cancer blog listed below.

Marty[/quote]

freeio · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:23 am Post subject: pain medication

Pain relief is always a bit of a problem. Of the over the counter kinds, the Tylenol works best for me. After the Whipple procedure, the stomach and intestines are weaker and the ibuprofin causes pain rather than helping.

I have been on the prescription pain medications for very severe back pain (which turned out to be related to secondary bone cancer) and the side effects are so dreadful that I had to get off of them, which I did.

I hope this helps.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

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