On 4/29/2008
eddied wrote:
Thanks for replies.
Update re yeterday's appointment.
Previous CT Scan showed tumour was too close to blood vessel in my pranceas to permit surgery and lymph nodes local to pancreas were enlarged, other nodes, further away was even more enlarged - 1.0 and 1.5cm.
The latest test, (down throat Ultrascan) showed that it was not as close as thought, opening up the option for Whipple Procedure. Biopsy result negative for cancer, as were brushings taken during an ERCP, so fact that I have cancer not yet confirmed, still showing as 90% likely. It was explained how this was hard sample to actually obtain sick cells in.
It also showed that lymph nodes local to my pancreas were not enlarged, BUT, the Doctor performing test was not able to see the others that were not in the pancreas area, from where he was working, but surgeon seemed unworried about this. Should I be?
Assuming no problems are found at pre assesment clinic today, they want me to go in for Whipple middle of next week.
The surgeon who performed my Whipple told me it was almost impossible to get a biopsy before the surgery because of the location of the pancreas. The first biopsy done at the hospital of the tumor that was removed in my case came back benign. It is common procedure here to send tissue to a regional center that specializes in detailed examination and biopsy. In my case, the second examination of the tissue showed early stage pancreatic cancer. The doctors told me that it is rare for a pancreatic tumor to be benign, almost always they are cancer. They also do biopsies of lymph nodes in surrounding area, and liver biopsies during the surgery. All of mine came back clean.
Sounds to me, and I am not in the medical profession, that your circumstances may be similar to mine. If yes, the surgery will give you a chance to be cancer free.
The important thing now is to prepare for the surgery. Build up your strength as much as possible. The surgeon told me to eat as much as I could, and to try and stay calm prior to surgery. So, try not to worry.
I hope you get good results. Still sending best wishes.