Difficult Decision To Make - Advice Please

[easymark]

I have a life-changing decision to make. I have a 4 cm cyst on my pancreas (found by mistake while in hospital for something else).

My surgeon is recommending Whipple surgery to remove it as a precaution. I'm having an endoscopy in a couple of weeks but he still thinks I should have surgery even if the results are negative. This is because I have a younger brother with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He is 44 and I'm 58.

To further complicate the matter, I'm severely disabled with polio (I've spent a lot of time in an out of hospital) and I'm being monitored for prostate cancer due to a high (ish) PSA).

If the results are positive for cancer then I will have no choice but if they are negative where can I get a second opinion? More than happy to pay for a private assessment but not sure where to go.

Also, I just read that there are three types of cysts two of which are non life-threatening.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Vasil]

Did they check your CA 19-9? or CEA

[Support Team]

Dear Mark,

My name is Lynne, I am one of the nurses working on the support line.

Thank you for sharing you story on the forum, as a support line nurse we often just cast our eyes over the forum, not in any other capacity other than to offer additional support or advice to people who might find it helpful. I am so pleased that you have felt able to reach out to the forum community, I am sure the fantastic forum family will see your post and reply but I wanted to just let you know that you are also able to speak with us on the support line should you have any questions, need advice, support or just a natter.

You can get in touch via email at nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

Or alternatively you can speak with one of the nurses by calling 0808 801 0707, the lines are open Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9-4 and Wed 10-6

With warmest regards,

Lynne

Pancreatic Cancer Nurse Specialist

Support Line.

[easymark]

"Did they check your CA 19-9? or CEA"

Sorry, what do you mean?

[easymark]

Thanks, I have been in contact.

Support Team wrote:

> Dear Mark,

>

> My name is Lynne, I am one of the nurses working on the support line.

>

> Thank you for sharing you story on the forum, as a support line nurse we

> often just cast our eyes over the forum, not in any other capacity other

> than to offer additional support or advice to people who might find it

> helpful. I am so pleased that you have felt able to reach out to the forum

> community, I am sure the fantastic forum family will see your post and

> reply but I wanted to just let you know that you are also able to speak

> with us on the support line should you have any questions, need advice,

> support or just a natter.

>

> You can get in touch via email at nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

> Or alternatively you can speak with one of the nurses by calling 0808 801

> 0707, the lines are open Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9-4 and Wed 10-6

>

> With warmest regards,

>

> Lynne

> Pancreatic Cancer Nurse Specialist

> Support Line.