Recently Diagnosed with Pancreatic Tumors

I was recently last Monday, diagnosed with Pancreatic Tumors.  I did a biopsy last wednesday and don't know the results yet.  I was just wondering is there any chance?  Nobody has contacted me I have an appointment with an oncolgist in a week.

Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.  Don't give up hope.  It all depends on what kind of tumors and how advanced.  Who sent you for the biopsy?  You should be involved with your primary care physician and a good GI doctor in addition to an oncologist and possibly a surgeon.  I would call whoever sent you for the biopsy to try and get some answers before you see the oncologist.  The waiting is the hardest part.

You can see some positive stories by looking at other subjects here on CancerCompass.  Also Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Discussion Board has many survivors and folks currently in treatment with very positive attitudes and great information.  You're not alone. You may also want to contact pancan.org (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).   They have coordinators who can speak with you, recommend good doctors near you who are familiar with this cancer and send you information.

Hope this helps.  I'll pray for you.

Thank you  very much for your response.  Until then I really felt I was alone

lopatin056

Do you know where the tumors are in the pancreas are they in the head or tail you will just have to wait and see I hope you receive some promising news  from the medicos I will wait to see how your diagnosis comes before  posting again you are not alone wishing you all the best

Hi lopatin056,

I was diagnosed with PC in Oct 2010.  They started the Whipple Procedure but the cancer had spread to my hypatic artery so were unable to take out the head of the pancreas so they removed the gall bladder, put in tumor markers and did a celiac block which has really helped with pain (I've had very little pain). They said without chemo I had 9 months and with chemo 1 yr.  It's been 21 monthts and I am still here and feeling ok.  Chemo does make me tired the week I get it.  The following week I am able to get around pretty good.  Up until I started the 5FU I was doing great. I am looking forward to the birth of my new grandbaby in January 2013.  Don't give up.  Hold onto HOPE. I don't know what area you are from but John Hopkins is a great hospital.  I go to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia which is also very good. Dr Yeo is one of the best for the whipple procedure.  God bless you.  Evelyn

On Jul 15, 2012 12:06 PM lopatin056 wrote:

Thank you  very much for your response.  Until then I really felt I was alone

You are not alone. I remember the week we found out my father had "something on his pancreas" It was a very long, scary time for us all. Test showed it was stage 4 pancreatic cancer. This was in Feb of this year, he is still fighting it. Please feel free to talk on here, it has been such a blessing to me. Praying for you!

I concur with others who said that a great resource is Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan).   The organization provides accurate and useful information and individual support when needed.  And their website has incredibly inspirational survivor stories.  

I have lived with a rare type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor since 1998.  It is typically much slower growing than the typical type of pancreatic cancer.  It is the same type that Steve Jobs had.  No matter which type of pancreatic tumors you have, it is really important to be seen by oncologists, gastroenterologists, dieticians, etc who specialize in that type of pancreatic tumor.  If you have the rare type of neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor, the carcinoidcancer.org website has remarkably useful and accurate information and support.

Hoping the best for you!

I just received the same diagnosis. (malignant neuroendocrine tumor in the pancreas tail). I want to get it removed but the surgeon says no rush..... How have you lived with it knowing that it is there? Any symptoms? The fact that it is there is constantly on my mind.