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Pancreatic cancer stage


Sangavasre

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Hello,


I had Wipple surgery one year ago. Post surgery I have a many complications like leak in connection so I had gone through double surgery within a week. After that I had 3 times bleeding and one month high fever. But some how I have survived my surgeon said I am very lucky.

Post surgery my biopsy report came It's T2N0Mx stage. My DR said it's in early stage no need of chemotherapy.


Is it's good I don't need chemotherapy.


Please advice me

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  • 1 month later...

Hi,

I wasn’t given chemo as the oncologist didn’t think I needed it. Also, if I was given chemo and something came back he said they had to be careful about giving me another dose. Trust the experts. They know a thing or 2. I had my surgery 12 years ago so be happy & enjoy life

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Sounds like they caught it early and you have been lucky. It hasn't spread beyond the pancreas into the lymph nodes or beyond. Do you feel you still should have had the chemo? I thought perhaps it was standard procedure (perhaps wrongly - sorry) to have chemo to mop up any potential stray cells?


Chemo is brutal so maybe if its not necessary that's a good thing? There's normally so little good news to take from this disease, I might be satisfied with this outcome.


Good luck and stay healthy.

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PCUK Nurse Rachel R

Hi,


It's Rachel here, one of the nurses. Thanks for your question Sangavasre and thanks for folks' replies. Standard practice is for Patients to have post surgical chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, after surgery to remove pancreatic cancer. This is because giving chemotherapy post operatively 'mops' up any microscopic cancer cells that are not able to be seen, and it reduces the risk of the cancer returning. There will be exceptions to this, this is because giving chemotherapy to some people would mean putting them at greater risk, therefore it is important to highlight that this will come down to the specific individual involved. Guidelines highlight that adjuvant chemotherapy should begin within 12 weeks of surgery for it be most effective.


I hope that helps provide some clarity.


Rachel


Rachel Richardson

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

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  • 5 weeks later...

My 74 year old brother was lucky last Aug 2020. On a regular blood test (Warfarin taker for blood clot in his 40's) the Dr urgently asked him to attend hospital. He had no symptoms apart from " green coloured urine" and "an itchy skin. On hospital examination they found a tiny 'lesion to the Pancreas head' by Sept 17th 2020 he was in a hospital undergoing 8 hrs surgery for the Whipple op. His medical attention was so fast tracked.

On day before his surgery I could see he had jaundice by his face being so yellow in colour. He did well to recover the Whipple. He was in 6 weeks as leakage took some time to dry up. On release he was handed Creon.

After 3 months of building strength in Dec 2020 he begun the recommended Chemo at his local hospital. He had this to mop up any stray cells. He was naturally frightened and I accompanied him. I can say that he had no nausea, no sickness. His reaction was just fatigue. He had similar experience during another 6 sessions. Extreme fatigue only.

Unfortunately due to Covid by March his chemo has halted half way.

His hobby was ball room dancing and singing in his local choir pre lockdown but this I am sure has been his focus and thinking positive thoughts on his disease and treatment. He is now nearly 14 months post whipple. He has had low days of digestive problems and I spend my time on line searching for answers for him from dietary advice to ' times pre foods to take creon' its a trial and error at times. He is just grateful the blood test picked this up/the NHS fast tracked and gave him the opportunity of the Whipple.

So far we thank God. (His sister)

He is widowed and lives alone.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi all


Thanks for your reply.


I have visited my surgeon again. And asked about chemo. He said we didn't gave chemo because you were not in good condition post surgery..


Could you please give me suggestions for below.


I am young 28 year male. Can get marry and settle down I am asking this because I am sacred of returning this cancer.


Please advise

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PCUK Nurse Nicola

Hi Sangavasre,


My name is Nicci and I am one of the nurses that works on the support line at Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Thanks for your post Sangavasre. As my colleague Rachel says, there are different reasons as to why people are not offered chemotherapy after surgery. They have to consider the risks of giving this if you have had complications post operatively.

To reassure you, you would not need to have chemotherapy now, as Rachel also mentioned, this needs to be given within a 12 week window after surgery.

I would say maybe some counselling might be a good idea also Sangavasre, you have been through an awful lot and at a young age.

I hope this helps?

Please do feel free to contact us also on the support line anytime. Info below


Nicci


Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

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