Consult on Modified Whipple Surgery

My brother may have option of modified Whipple. Would take body, tail , also spleen, one adrenal gland, and reroute a vein.

His 4 cm tumor on body of PAN is near or involving the Celiac Artery

MOST likely no met to liver, still fine tuning that. BUT a couple skilled savy surgeons are agreeing POSSIBLE resectable.

CA-19-9  started in Dec 2008 at 1200 then chemo ( gem/xeloda0 8 cycles) so marker halved again and again to 260, now 150= good trend.

We are looking for best top surgeon perhaps in California area but of course everyone says travel to whereever to save your life. 

SO ==> would like input from other whipple survivors and even similar in essense= "Opposite of Whipple".  Some topics or requests:

-hand holding , support

-time of operation ( 4 hrs, ? 9 hrs)

-outcomes, quality of life issues ( diabetic, stomach cav drains0

-hospital time recover

-Pump it up prepare body and mind for surgery, hints

-pain levels post op

-best attitude for good post op

-insurance questions and suggestions

thanks a lot, Brogan in Seattle and San Fran area

( I am on carepages too) 

 

Brog22,

     My husband Len (69) had a mini Whipple on April 29.  They removed a 1 cm tumor (adenocarcinoma), along with the spleen, gall bladder, part of the pancreas, part of the small intestine.  The tumor had clear margins and had not spread to other organs.  They tested 15 nearby lymph nodes, and one had a very small spot.

     He was in the hospital about 12 days, four extra days due to extreme hiccups.  The pain was very controllable.  Within 5 to 6 weeks, he was eating well, exercising, golfing, etc.  He didn't have much pain after the first couple of weeks.  He takes enzymes with meals to aid his digestion. He does not have diabetes, drains, or other health issues. 

      Len began chemo this week, once a week for about 6 weeks.  They will follow up with radiation.  This is considered adjuvant therapy (used as a prevention to keep the cancer from returning).  So far, no side effects.

     We just went on a week's vacation before beginning his chemo and he felt fine.  The most important thing is finding a VERY experienced surgeon and hospital (at least 100 Whipples a year).  This will improve your chances of a good outcome and recovery.  Contact PANCAN if you need names, or check out the Johns Hopkins message board for lots of info.

Nancy J

I had full whipple 5 years ago this month. I did a lot of research looking for a surgeon. I found from multiple sources that the Doc I needed was Dr. Brett Sheppard at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in Portland. He is regarded one of the best in the country, and it's true, I'm very much alive after 5 years! He took out a lot of spare parts and the hospital time was 2 weeks. Surgery time was 8 1/2 hours. I read one of the responses regarding pain and recovery time. I don't know? My surgery was radical and the pain afterwords was substantial and recovery time to the point of golfing (for me it was cutting firewood) was a couple of years. I went into chemo and radiation very soon after my surgery. My chemo went 2 years! Today I have a new normal of life, but it is good!!

Hi - I had a whipple at Virginia Mason in Seattle in February by Dr. Traverso.  He is an outstanding doctor and does about one whipple a week.  Each case is carefully considered.  In my case the tumor was about 5 cm and was very close to the portal vein so I first underwent 5 embolizations to reduce the size of the tumor (neuroendocrine) before he would do the surgery.  Look on the Virginia Mason website and you will find a lot of info.  My oncologist is Dr. Picozzi - again, very good.  He is the one who came up with the idea of the embolizations, a procedure that if not often done unless you have an atrofied pancreas. I strongly recommend this team! Good luck.

I had a pylorus saving Whipple surgery January 12th at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass (just outside Boston). Dr. Roger Jenkins was my surgeon, and I really looked into all of the best. He specializes in benign and malignant tumors of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas; hepatocellular carcinoma, Klatskin tumors; Liver transplantation, kidney transplantation, Pancreatic carcinoma, and surgery for portal hypertension. He goes around the world giving medical lectures and winning awards. I can't recommend him highly enough. I had half of my pancreas removed, my gall bladder, all of my duodenum and my bile ducts. I felt almost 100% recovered by the end of the 3rd month. I don't need pancreatic enzymes nor do I take any ant-acids. I must be really lucky! Turns out I had chronic pancreatitis, or possibly auto immune pancreatitis. I don't know what the future holds in store for me, but I try to live as healthy as possible and keep a positive attitude. It could have been much worse. I will keep you in thoughts and prayers. Beth in Maine