I Think My Friend Is Lying About Having Pancreatic Cancer...Help!

My boyfriend has known this man he met online and became friends with over a year ago. We have all become very close during the past year (offline as well). He tells everyone he has pancreatic cancer and he refuses treatment (so he won't leave his wife w/ huge medical bills after his death)...so we all are very sympathetic and worried for him.
My question is this...can someone live for over 5 years w/ pancreatic cancer untreated?
I'm beginning to think that this person is a con man and is using people's concern to get taken care of. I know that is awful, but I can't help but wonder. Everything I read is that only 4% live past 5 years and that is WITH treatment. My boyfriends heart is breaking daily thinking his friend will die soon, but, I'm beginning to think it is all a game.
He does not work and his wife he met 5 years ago (he told her he was dying b4 they got married) works 2 jobs to support them. The only symptom I've ever seen is that he says he's tired all the time and cannot work (we go to his house every few weeks and mow...do chores...etc.) he looks fine (althought thin...but then again...so am I). He will on occasion have a siezure (we've never seen it...only been told) and be extremely grumpy for days on end.
I know this is long, but I'm growing more concerned for my boyfriends sanity at this point. I hate the thought of being taken advantage of...and it's starting to really seem this way.
Can someone shed light on this disease and let me know if it is even a probability that this man is telling the truth?
I appreciate any input you can give me... Thanks so much. Angel

Yes, Angel it is possible to have cancer of the pancreas and live a good while. It depends on where it is located. Mine is in the head of the pancreas and my dr. at M.D. Anderson cancer hospital says I could live up to 8 or 9 years without surgery but I am having shots to keep the tumor from growing any larger getting ready for the BIG surgery.

Thanks Katie.. I appreciate the reply. I just know how deceptive some of the "online" chat community can be and all the research I've done I hadn't seen anyone survive without any treatment at all.
Other than being diagnosed 5+ years ago, he's never been back to a doctor (no shots, no medication, nothing). He says he refuses to leave his wife and family with unnecessary medical bills (noble...and stupid).
I'm still uneasy about it but as long as I know it is a possibility I feel a little less taken advantage of.
Good luck with your struggle and I wish you all the best.

I am really surprised to hear of anyone living much beyond a year after diagnosis and that is with chemotherapy. Generally, pancreatic cancer is VERY agressine. My husband was diagnosed 3/16/05 and will likely not be here much beyond a couple of more weeks. He went for treatment but has gotten so sick so quickly that there is not much they can do but make him comfortable. It spreads really quickly. Our oncologist told us 3-5 months without treatment and that 25% of people who undergo treatment are still alive at one year.

Angel,

I will ask the surgeon that did my mothers Whipple procedure this question. I will post the answer he gives me here as soon as I get it.

All the research I have done about pancreatic cancer leads me to the following facts:

1: Pancreatic Cancer is the fastest spreading cancer.

2: Without treatment of any kind the likelihood of long term survival (more than a year) is very, very low.

3: If left untreated it spreads quickly to other organs and becomes increasingly painful.

I suggest that you ask pointed questions about some of the more obscure symptoms, such as what the color of his stool is. (If there is a tumor pressing on the biliary duct it will be white because the liver enzymes would be blocked, and they are what gives our stool it's brownish color.)

Have you seen him eat? Does he eat a normal size portion or does he eat little to nothing?

Most Pancreatic Cancer patients have no appetite at all.

I myself, based on what you have posted here, would be dropping this guy like a burning rock. He may be guilty of operating a scheme to defraud, which is a crime.

You are right to suspect people that claim to have such a grave illness, yet seem to be "survivng" without treatment against the established odds of doing so.

There are too many people out there that "get over" on those of us with a kind heart. I was fooled by a long time friend into believing he had a bad back and couldn't lift things, drive, nothing.

Then he hit a smallish jackpot with the Florida Lottery and suddenly he was CURED. He bought a dirt bike (motorcycle) and went out on it every day. In his excitement he forget his years of lies about not being able to even walk very far because the act of his feet hitting the ground jarred his spine so much it put him in agony.

I fired him! (When his money ran out his back pain returned. Go figure!)

Anyway...keep your eyes and ears open, Angel. I'll ask the surgeon as I stated and post that answer here as soon as I get it.

I could be wrong, but...

Best Wishes,

David

AKA DoanWannaBeHere

Usually by the time they diagnosed this type of cancer it is too late to do anything. My husband has been very lucky and had a Whipple Procedure but......he was told if he had nothing done it would be 4 mon. to a year that he would live. This pancreatic cancer is the fastest growing of all cancers. If this friend had it 5 years ago he'd be pretty sick by now with no treatments as it can turn you into a diabetic, it can go to your liver, stomach and all over pretty fast.
Maybe you could just kind of trick your friend and tell him you know someone who has pancreatic cancer and would like your friends advice as to what to do and see what your friend says?? Ask who his doc. is because your other friend would like to see one. Its up to you but he could be taking you for a long ride. I know that pancreatic cancer grows fast and your friend would be pretty sick by now.
Good Luck.....
Kathy

What injections are you getting to keep the tumor from growing?

Thank you

Teddy

The shot That I'm getting is (Sandostatin LAR Depot) it has so far helped it hasn't grown any in 6 months,I'm getting this shot for 6 more months and will give me a little more time to lose 35 more lbs. since I had Gained so much.
Mine is in the head of the pancreas in the Islet cells thats controls your gluclose mine has been going up a little more each time and dieting and getting my weight down will also help me from becoming a diabetic which I could become very easy and I don't want to be one.and want to have a good quality of life and the Dr said he knew what he was doing even tho some of the other drs. don't agree with him but he is top Surgeon At M.D.Anderson so I'm sure he knows best.

Hi Angel,
My husband was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that spread to the liver. We found this out on July 3, 2005. He may have had the pancreatic cancer for about a year; this usually goes undetected. But, his abdomen has been distended for some time, he has heartburn and problems with IBS. He has previously had an ulcer. He had to have gone to a doctor originally for his diagnosis. Try to find out which doctor he saw. This cancer could very easily spread to another body organ and by then it is too late for treatment. I cannot believe he would forego treatment and a chance to live. I agree with some of the others; he sounds like a user and I wouldn't waste my time.

My dad had pancreatic cancer. Had surgery, within a few months another mass had come up. My mom found online a liquid med called protocell. He took it and some chemo. a few months later, the drs were looking at new scans and found the mass was gone. Anything is worth looking into i think. My dad lived 2 years after finding out he had pancreatic cancer.
good luck to all!
manda