My dad has pancreatic cancr and cannot eat

My dad is 64 years old and about 1 month ago was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On looking at the scans, doctors first thought they would be able to perform a whipples op in order to remove the tumour. However, on actually 'opening' him up they discovered the cancer was too advanced and the tumour itself was too close to the portal vein making it far too dangerous to attempt surgery. They did remove his gall bladder and perfromed a bypass operation in the hope of relieving his syptoms. He cannot be cured but we were told yesterday they he should be able to start chemotherapy (Gemzo) in around 2 weeks (That is the waiting time!!). The aim of the chemo would be to make him more comfortable and hopefully prolong his life. However, the main problem at the moment is the fact that my dad cannot eat. I have read many posts on this site and on others where the ill have given up and stopped eating and drinking but I don't believe this to be the case with my dad. He actually wants to eat and gets very upset because he can't. He is worried that he won't be strong enough to cope with the chemo if he doesn't start eating. He has lost over a stone in weight in a very short amount of time. Can anybody give us any tips at all to help him? Although he doesn't really feel hungry he is prepared to make himself eat for obvious reasons but everything seems to make him feel sick and when he tries to eat, he just brings it all back up again. Any ideas please?? By the way, we live in the UK and the research you have in USA seems light years ahead of us. Thank you

They may want an upper GI series to make sure he is not obstructed. Does he feel nauseated all the time?  Antiemetics , low dose around the clock may help.  For appetite Concentrated Megace liquid (625mg per teaspoon)  can help with the anorexia.

This is an example where I  would recommend Chemo Rads upfront and then continuing the chemo with re evaluation for efficacy.  Possibly this could be simplified with tumor markers if they do them upfront ie CEA or Ca 19-9 which are just blood tests but like PSA in prostate to moniter response or progression.

 

On 3/21/2007 Didge wrote:

My dad is 64 years old and about 1 month ago was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On looking at the scans, doctors first thought they would be able to perform a whipples op in order to remove the tumour. However, on actually 'opening' him up they discovered the cancer was too advanced and the tumour itself was too close to the portal vein making it far too dangerous to attempt surgery. They did remove his gall bladder and perfromed a bypass operation in the hope of relieving his syptoms. He cannot be cured but we were told yesterday they he should be able to start chemotherapy (Gemzo) in around 2 weeks (That is the waiting time!!). The aim of the chemo would be to make him more comfortable and hopefully prolong his life. However, the main problem at the moment is the fact that my dad cannot eat. I have read many posts on this site and on others where the ill have given up and stopped eating and drinking but I don't believe this to be the case with my dad. He actually wants to eat and gets very upset because he can't. He is worried that he won't be strong enough to cope with the chemo if he doesn't start eating. He has lost over a stone in weight in a very short amount of time. Can anybody give us any tips at all to help him? Although he doesn't really feel hungry he is prepared to make himself eat for obvious reasons but everything seems to make him feel sick and when he tries to eat, he just brings it all back up again. Any ideas please?? By the way, we live in the UK and the research you have in USA seems light years ahead of us. Thank you

Hi Didge,

my Husband also has Pancreatic Cancer, his has spread to his liver, but as the eating part, he eats, very well, he has nausea medication from his Doctor, which helps. make sure he has some Nausea medication.

also get him some Boost Plus, any flavor he likes, this will help him so he doesn't loose to much weight, also get powdered milk and sprinkle it on all the food he eats. there is also a drink called Naked, it is full of vitamins, and very good for him, if you want you can e-mail me and i will try to help U as much as i can.

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