Username:    Password:      Remember me       

Cancer Forums

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others

SearchSearch   DigestsEmail Digests     Register to postRegister to post   ProfileProfile   Check private messagesCheck private messages   Log inLog in 
How long and what should i expect? What is this ?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Pancreatic Cancer Forum


Author
donnamt
New User


Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:53 am    Post subject: How long and what should i expect? Reply with quote
My aunty was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer of the head late last year. They attempted the whipple operation, however when they opened her up, they could remove the cancer as it was attached (and well attached) to a important vein.

Now at the moment she is recieving Gemcitabane (sp?) once a week every week. she was told that even if the chemo shrinks the cancer, they still cant remove it because of what it is attached too.

i was just wondering how long she would have to have chemo for, the rest of her life... which would be how long with this sort of cancer.

The cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas, im not sure if the lymph nodes are affected or not...

She has had something done as well to stop jaundice... something was removed gall bladder i think..

Thanks
Back to top
brainman
Site Admin


Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3949
Location: Tennessee
PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:07 pm    Post subject: Re: How long and what should i expect? Reply with quote
Hi donnamt. I am very sorry about your aunt's cancer. Pancreatic Cancer is one of the hardest cancers to effectively treat; it is so aggressive. Your aunt should receive aggressive treatment.

No one can really tell you how long she has. The normal statement is that few live with high grade Pancreatic Cancer for more than 2 years. Having said that, if my original prognosis had been correct, I would have died over 5 years ago.

In your aunt's case, her situation is complicated by the involvement of that vein or artery. If the cancer constricts that blood vessel or breaks through it, she might be in a life threatening situation in a matter of moments. Her medical team might want to place a stint into that vessel in order to keep it opened.

You and your aunt are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/
Back to top


Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Pancreatic Cancer Forum All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Download our Toolbar



About the author
E-mail webmaster
Terms, conditions and privacy policy		 We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify. We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group