how fast

I have posted before,my wife was diagnosed with PC in June of 08. As of late she has been strugling with liver stent,Gall Bladder removal and billiary drains. We have had numerous ct scans done lately,the most recent was late june. This week after having a severe high fever 104+,we went to a hospital that was in a town we were visiting family at and had never been there,since the beginning of this ordeal.Anyway,had an ER doc come in and state that along with area of abcess,fluids,in the gall fossa,there is evidence of mets to liver. The last scan result stated area of concern,to now probable.Can this happen in less than a month?Will this effect the current treatment she is doing,or should we stop chemo and try to "have fun" for whatever time left. This is one of those things I dreaded,but knew possible.Please Any Info?

Dear Confused Too,

I'm very sorry your wife is suffering from pc and, by extension, you as well.

Yes, with pc, unfortunately it is possible to spread very quickly.  Whether your wife wishes to try a new chemo protocol that might enable her to have more time or whether it might be better to just stop all treatment is up to her.  Most pc patients seem to prefer to fight as long as they have a decent quality of life. 

This is for sure a very aggressive and difficult cancer but with the right oncologist some patients seem to live longer than others.  It is so very individualized.  Sometimes it depends on where you reside and if your wife can travel.  Some of the most amazing doctors are with M. D. Anderson in Houston, Dr. Robert Fine @ Columbia in NYC and those @ Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  Dr. Fine is the originator of the GTX chemo protocol that so many patients have found very helpful.

Perhaps you can present these options to your wife, if she can travel, and see how she feels about it.  I will keep you both in my prayers.

Good luck and God speed.

Joan L