Pancreatic Cancer With Artery Encasement And Lymph Nodes Posted: 07-04-05 17:05pm
My grandmother, who is 81 years old, was
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a
week ago. Her radiologist said that there
is a partial encasement of the super
mesenteric artery and super mesenteric
vein and mild peripancreatic infiltration
of fat and small lymph nodes.
We have consulted with two surgeons. One
surgeon recommended chemotherapy first to
increase chances of the tumor
resectability. But another surgeon said
that he can deal with an encasement of the
artery and vein and suggested a radical
surgery (whipple). He also said that
infiltration of fat and lymph nodes might
make the whipple surgery impossible but he
won’t know that until he opens my
grandmother up. In that case the radical
surgery would turn into palliative.
Surgery is scheduled for friday, july 8,
which leaves little time to get yet
another opinion without postponing the
surgery.
All of this uncertainty among doctors
makes us very nervous. Should we go ahead
with the scheduled surgery or should we
consider chemotherapy first? Does the
infiltration of the lymph nodes make the
chemotherapy as the preparation for
surgery out of the question? Are there
any other methods to assess resectability
(laparoscopy)? Does resectability, as far
as partial encasement of vessels is
concerned, depends on the skills of the
surgeon? Please let me know if anyone had
similar experience with this type of tumor
and what was the outcome. I appreciate
any input in advance.
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rhw01
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1
Posted: 07-13-05 01:42am
Whoops; looks like my timing isn't very
good. By the time i've read this the 8th
has already passed.
Seems to me the whipple should be
something you'd want; the tumor is cut out
( or least as much as is reachable ),
followed by the chemo / radiation.
Certainly better than chemo / radiation
only.
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downnout
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 9 Location: USA
Wipple Surgery Posted: 07-15-05 23:51pm
Yes looks like I am a little to late
replying to this to but I will anyway. My
father has pancreatic cancer and just had
the wipple surgery tonight beleive it or
not. Lasted 14 hours and it was a
success. I hope your grandmothers went
well also, I know what it can do to you
and family when something like this
happens, you will be in my prayers
