On 2/17/2008
jamiek wrote:
Dear All,
My mum has recently had the whipple procedure to remove cancer in the pancreas area. The operation went well, and she is recovering well. Luckily we had the best surgeon in the UK, and that made a massive difference. When the surgeon removed the tumour, it was touching a vessel, and he couldnt confirm that there was no cancer cells on the vessel. Normally they liked to be able to have a distance of a few millimetres between the tumour, and the vessels to confirm it is all removed. He believes that he did remove it, but like all surgeons will not confirm it is the case.
I do have some questions that I would love if you guys could help me.
1) Can pancreactic cancer come back after the whipple procedure?
2) What treatment can be done on the pancreas area to get rid of any possible cancer cells around the area? I have heard of something called SIRT, can this be done?
3) During surgery, the surgeon found a milli cancer cell on the liver. Does this mean she has secondary cancer on the liver from the pancreas?
4) Can she have a liver transplant to avoid liver cancer? The surgeon believes that cancer in the livid is imminent, so, we would maybe look at SIRT on the liver, or maybe a transplant.
I would appreciate any help you guys can give.
Regards
Jamie
Jamie, I am not a doctor or an expert but will try to help with my understanding of the situation.
1. Yes, unfortunately the cancer comes back after the whipple most of the time. It may recur on the pancreas portion that is left, the liver, or almost anywhere else. That is why post op treatment is usually recommended. I know this is extremely disturbing but the whipple is usually the only chance to beat/control this beast so it is still the way to go if you qualify.
2. I'm told that post whipple, one would want some time of Radiation Therapy to treat the localized area for stray cancer cells. Also, Chemotherapy to get any distant cells that have traveled via the blood or lymph system. Basically, radiation therapy is for possible local spread and chemotherapy is for possible systemic spread. At least in our case, it was extremely difficult for DH to get on his feet post op and move right on to chemo and radiation....can be so hard on the body.
3. Yes, that does likely mean spread to the liver.
4. As far as liver transplant goes, I really don't know anything about that. If the pc is going to spread, the liver is the most usual first stop for it. I've never heard of a liver transplant to avoid cancer but then again, could be.
Best wishes to you and your mum.