Treatment plan for my mother

ahmedf · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 5 weeks ago. Since the tumor affects the SMA and SMV, doctors have ruled out surgery at this point. The CT scan didn't show any metastasis per se, but a questionable lesion was seen on the liver which was indeterminate along with a little amount of fluid in the pelvis.

After battling with a slew of other issues such as diarrhea and low hemoglobin (she was given 3 units of blood transfusion for that), she has finally started on a course of treatment for the last week. Doctors have decided that traditional radiation therapy along with weekly infusions of Gemcitabine would be best for my mother.

She has a bunch of other ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure, diabetes and heart conditions considering which the doctor has started her on a low dose of chemotherapy and radiation which he says would be increased depending on how my mother responds to the treatment. Also, he might introduce 5FU if she responds really well.

We looked into CyberKnife, but it seemed like it didn't offer anything above and beyond traditional radiation therapy besides a shorter cycle and lesser side effects due to more accuracy.

Has anyone else here been given a similar treatment plan? Does my mother's treatment plan sound reasonable?

Are the doctors correct about CyberKnife? They also say that given the location of the tumor and my mother's anatomy, the bowels are bound to get some radiation and CyberKnife can't help her in that case either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

georgie430 · Regular Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 44

You sound like a wonderful son and I know this is so hard for you.
I wanted to ask you to go to John Hopkins pancreatic cancer discussion board, when you get there look up Mary G under bio's she also had
the vein and artery involvment, but after I think 6-9 mths of treatment, maybe less they were able toperform the whipple.

Please also ask them abt the radiation, I thought that was questionable
with pc???

Also call pancan at 1 877-272-6226, they will direct you to the nearest
panc can hospital also give info on treatments and clinical trials, ask
for there bi-monthly magazine too.

Is your mom still having the runs?? If so opiod pain killers should help
this situation, and zofran as previously mentioned is great for nausousnes
I question her care as she was not even given zofran, again though, I'm
going off of others stories, please visit John Hopkins message board and
call pancan.

with the best of intentions,
georgie
_________________
"going thru these very rough times have made
me WAKE UP, I know this sounds cliche, but
don't want to go back to sleep" !!!

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