Adenocarcinoma.... what now???

Tam · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: Adenocarcinoma.... what now???

We got the diagnosis, Adenocarcinoma... Pancreatic Cancer. Stage 4.

What now? Other than the pain and wait loss from not eating because eating = pain, my dad doesn't seem all that sick.

My sister seems bent on trying to convince him not to get chemo, and to go straight into hospice. We haven't even seen an Oncologist yet.

He wants to go home, I want to do whatever he wants to do.

What are the best ways to manage pain? He is on morphine now, but they have an acute pain specialist coming to see him.

What can we expect to happen next? What is the likelihood that he'll be able to come home? How fast do things deteriorate and what should I keep an eye out for?

Angela77 · New User Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 8

Hi Tam,

We were in the exact same situation with my Dad 8 months ago in December, 2007. He was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. His symptoms were fatigue, bad back pain and pain in his side. The cancer had spread to his liver and spine at that point. He then had 14 radiation treatments which helped with the pain from the cancer in his spine. After that he was only able to have about 5 or 6 chemo treatments over a course of about 3 months due to complications such as his getting a virus and a low red blood cell count. My Dad passed away June 5, 2008, so he lived almost 6 months after his diagnosis. I don't think the chemo really helped my Dad, but it probably did extend his life a couple months. We didn't have hospice care until the last month of his life, but hospice is wonderful and I would recommend them to anyone. They are so comforting and supportive. I guess if your Dad is doing ok, then you have to let him decide if he wants to try chemo. We let my Dad decide what he wanted to do. Your sister can't make up his mind. You can also work with your Dad's doctor to see when the right time would be for your Dad to have hospice care. My Dad's doctor told my Dad when he thought it was time. I'm not sure how old your Dad is...mine was 63 when he passed away. I think age probably plays a role in how well someone responds to treatment. Your Dad may live longer than my Dad - you just never know. Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you have more questions. I know what you're going through and how hard it is to deal with. It helps to have support from family and friends.

Angela

brainman

Tam, I am very sorry that our fears were confirmed.

What happens now should be treatment decisions. Unless there is a benefit to do surgery or radiation, the normal next step in treatment of a stage IV Pancreatic Cancer is aggressive chemotherapy. The exact chemo that he will receives I do not know. Once you find out, let us know. One of use might be able to help you know what to expect.
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Tam

My Dad met his oncologist today, and he is going to order some new tests to find out exactly what we are dealing with. FINALLY! He talked briefly to my Dad about some options, but those wont be clear until there is a clearer view of whats going on. It feels like at least now we are getting somewhere.

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