Pancreatitis 3 Years After Whipple?

[concerneddil]

My MIL is a 4 year pancreatic cancer survivor and 3 years post Whipple. In the past year she has developed a growth on her pancreas which was biopsied and cancer cells were not found; they think it might be scar tissue, but it keeps slowly growing. Over the same time period she has developed strong abdominal and back pain and has chronic and debilitating diarrhea which has caused her weight to drop to 100 pounds. Has anyone else developed something like this 3 years after a Whipple? I am wondering if she has developed pancreatitis. She is 80, so the weight loss and constant diarrhea are very concerning. She has been on enzymes since the Whipple.

[Support Team]

Hello,

Thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that your mother in law has recently noticed a change in her general well being. While it is fabulous that she was able to have surgery 3 years ago it can often be concerning when people notice new symptoms or if others appear to be changing. From what you've mentioned above I think the best thing to do would be to give our support line a call, the nurses will be able to ask some specific questions to assess you MIL symptoms in a bit more detail and give some advice on potential next steps.

The support line number is 0808 801 0707

I hope this is helpful,

Lynne

(Pancreatic Specialist Nurse North)

[concerneddil]

Thank you for your response Lynn...we are in the U.S. though. She had another CT scan last week which showed the growth had increased 2 cm in the past three months. She is scheduled now for a biopsy, so hopefully that will give more answers. The docs are concerned that the mass is pressing on something that is creating the digestive issues.

[concerneddil]

My MIL just had a biopsy...the pancreatic cancer is back 3 years post whipple. It is also probably what is causing her gastro issues and weight loss. She will have a PET scan now to see if it has spread.

[PCUK Nurse Rachel R]

Hi concerneddil,

It's Rachel here, one of the nurses from the support line. I am sorry to hear that your MIL's pancreatic cancer has returned. I'm sure you must all be devastated. I'm glad to hear she's having further investigations and that a treatment plan will be agreed. Hopefully your MIL can access help and support with her current symptoms and try and stabilise her weight loss.

If you did wish to email us as I know you're overseas then we would be more than happy to discuss things in further detail if that would be helpful.

Thoughts are with you & your Family,

Rachel

Rachel Richardson

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

[concerneddil]

Thank you for all the responses. She passed five days ago after a very quick decline. She survived this disease for four years, and we are grateful she is no longer in pain.

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hi there,

We are so sorry to hear that your MIL has passed away from pancreatic cancer.

Please accept our condolences from all of the nurses here and the wider charity.

It is remarkable to hear that she lived with pancreatic cancer for 4 years, nonetheless, still difficult to lose a loved one.

I am sure that she appreciated all of her family support over these years.

Take care of yourself, and should you need to contact us, you can still do so.

Kindest regards,

Jeni.

Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707