chemotherapy or radiation for pancreatic cancer

greendesert · New User Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

What would be the treatment of choice for 71 yr man with pancreatic cancer - chemotherapy or radiation ? The tumor is localized on the head, wondering what would be the prognosis in the coming two years ?

LittleMe · Regular Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 21

My mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas in May. Mum had 4 cycles of gemcap chemo. (gemcitabine and capcitabine) and this reduced her pain. She took herself off painkillers during the 2nd cycle. She did not have too many side effects and coped quite well. She is 64. We are in the UK, by the way.

She now has a spot on her liver and is awaiting a stent to clear the bile duct (she is jaundiced at the mo.) and in 6 wks has an appoinment to look at hopfully more chemo..

Best of luck and sorry I can't answer all your questions but I hope your relative will cope and respond well to treatment.

greendesert · New User Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

That relative is my father. I lost my mom last year due to COPD.
I am being told that radiation would be best for him.

LittleMe · Regular Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 21

I'm in a similar position, dad died just under 2 yrs ago aged 64 he also had cancer.

MelissaV

Hi greendesert: My Mom turned 70 in April, and in July was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The first test results revealed that her tumor was localized in the head of the pancreas as well. So, we flew to M.D. Anderson hospital in Houston TX, (she lives in Colorado) as the surgical specialists there could better determine if she would qualify for Whipple surgery. It is a very invasive surgery which requires very skilled surgeons to perform it sucessfully, but if it is an option due the the cancer not having spread, then this would have been the best chance at a curative procedure.

Unfortunately, at M.D. Anderson they found some spots on her liver as the cancer had indeed spread so surgery was no longer an option. She is on her second round of Gemzar (chemo), and is tolerating it well, but it will not cure her disease. She also had a permanent stent placed in her bile duct to help keep that passageway open. She will not have any radiation therapy.

I hope this helps. I wish you the best in this very difficult journey you and your father have to face. Regards, MelissaV
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