What is Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer (also called cancer of the pancreas) is represented by the growth of a malignant tumour within the small pancreas organ. Each year about 31,00...
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I've been diagnosed with an LPMN on the body of my pancreas. My doctors believe it's NOT cancerous, but could be precancerous, and believe the tumor should come out, along with some significant portion of the body and the tail. If malignant cells are found, then maybe they'd remove my spleen and lymph nodes as well.
Does anybody have a good feeling about where this no longer is something they can do laproscopically? Is one faced with the same basic set of possible complications with laproscopy as with "open gut" surgery? Also, what can I expect for recovery time, both in hospital and at home? My situation is complicated by a fairly severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. Has anybody else had a similar situation, where they've had surgery without ever having reached the point of cancer? Finally, I've seen several references to "Stage xx," where xx is a number. I think I've seen 3, 4 and 5. What do these numbers represent. Thanks to anyone who can help. Posted on 04/01/08, 11:04 pm |
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Hi,
I have a friend who had non cancerous masses on the tail of her pancreas. She went to a University Hospital for the surgery and yes they were unable to do it by laparoscopy. She was off work 3 months as healing and some complications set in. The pancreas leaked and she formed abcesses. My twin sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after finding out she has a genetic defect of the pancreas. She went to the University of Chicago to have a Whipple. They removed the head and neck of the pancreas, a small portion of the stomach, all of the duodenum ,and then put her back together. She is now taking chemo. Her surgery was in October. The staging as they call it, refers to the size of the tumor and if there is any mets, or spread of the cancer. My twin is a stage 2. No lymph node involvement and no mets to other organs and no cancer on the margins of the pancreas. There was a tumor only in the head of the pancreas. Of course, if your stage is 1 you have the best prognosis, if the stage is 4or 5 that is the worst prognosis. Sounds like you need to have this surgery and go to a specialized facility that does pancreatic surgery on a routine basis. Good luck to you . Sometimes this organ, the pancreas does trickey things and surgery still has to be a option. My sister went in to have this surgery never knowing she had cancer and they just "found" cancer during the surgery. If the pancreas doesn't work anymore as it should or if you are having digestion problems, pain, etc etc you need to have something done. Hope you find all the help you need and get second opinions if needed. Pat 
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Thank you so much, patrn. I really appreciate your info. Blessings to your friend and your sister for their recoveries. It seems like Whipple was drastic for no metastasis, doesn't it? I haven't heard a stage nbr, but I'm told size is small (4 x 3 cm). Do you know yur sister's chemo drugs? I'm wanting to take rituxan for RA, also used for some cancer, and I wonder about conflicts.
Thanks again.
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Hi Thank you for sharing. I am an RN with stage 4B pancreatic cancer. I will not repeat what Pat shared with you as I agree on everything she said.
On staging of cancer of any type-there are usually 4 stages and these are subdivided by an A or B. The earlier the stage the better. In my case, I have a very late stage-this is unfortunately-the majority of cases. Please share with your physician and surgeon every medication you are on as this would be important for the physician's knowledge in any treatment or surgery. Once again-Thanks for sharing! Art
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Thank you, Art. I very much appreciate your input. I have shared my meds with my doc, just had another CT scan and go for EUS/FNA on the 15th. On the 21st, I have another consult with my doc, and should know a whole lot more then.
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