pancreatic cancer

My husband was diagnosed with PC and has been scheduled for surgery on July 20.  They will be taking out his pancreas, spleen and gall bladder.  Is this normal?  I have looked up so many things on the internet that we just get more confused.  The surgeon said no chemo or radiation was needed since they were removing pancreas.  He also said he will have to take enzymes and insulin shots.    Just wondering if anyone else has had these organs taken out for PC and what their experience was.  He will have to go to work and we are wondering how long before he can and if he can.  I'm just confused and scared and guess I am looking for some kind of reassurance that others have had this done and they are living a normal life now.  Thank you.

Purses,

The surgery your husband will have is called Whipple surgery; he is very lucky that he is one of the 15-20% able to have this procedure.  Yes, the organs you mentioned that will be removed are those commonly taken during the Whipple, as well as possibly part of the stomach and duodenum as well.  You can find out much more about this surgery and pancreatic cancer in general at the Johns Hopkins web site.  Johns Hopkins also maintains a Pancreatic Cancer Online Support Group that is very helpful.  There are both patients and caregivers with much knowledge who are happy to share their info as well as provide support.

I suggest you would be wise to have a 2nd opinion for your follow-up care; it is the standard of care in the US to have both adjuvant chemo and radiation.  Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive cancer and is known to recur so you would be wise to have follow-up treatment.  Many surgeons and institutions are not expert in the treatment of pc, and experts are what is needed when you are dealing with this terrible cancer.  I do not know who your surgeon is, but he or she should have done LOTS of Whipples; it is in your best interest to ask that question of your doctor.  The hospital you choose should also have an excellent record with pc treatment.

How soon your husband will be able to return to work depends entirely on him; is is very subjective.  Almost everyone has some issue or other but a few patients return to work after about 8 weeks, depending upon their reaction to adjuvant chemo and radiation.  He will have to learn how to eat again with his new plumbing and will no doubt lose weight after surgery as most patients do.  

Visit the Johns Hopkins web site and support board.  There is so much there to be learned.  There is also an organization called PanCan which will send you info on doctors, diet, etc.  You can google their name for their website and phone number.

Good luck.

Joan L   

Thank you Joan for all the info.  I will look up the things you have suggested and find out as much as I can.  Also thanks for suggestion on the chemo and radiation.  When we asked the surgeon and he said it wasn't needed, we were just relieved and will be sure to question that.  Thank you again for all your help.

Hi, just checking cancer compass, and see your question, and remember how scared we were, when my son was preparing for surgery after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  In his case they removed part of his pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, bileducts, and some intestine.  He had a risk of needing to take insulin, depending how his body reacts,,but for now is not taking insulin, and should be taking enzymes, but has been trying to cope without, which I doubt will be an option with the whole pancreas gone.  He has lots of digestive problems, and needs to be careful with what he eats.  He went back to work about6 weeks after surgery, and for the most part lives life normally.  The body is an amazing machine, and so is modern medicine.  Good luck to your husband and to you and your family, and  God Bless.