New treatment protocol extends survival in some cases of once inoperable pancreatic cancer
Of the 88 patients enrolled in the study, 50 of them came from academic centers, 25 from community hospitals, and 13 from international centers. However, hospital type and surgeon skill are not necessarily indicators of the setting in which this protocol can be used, Dr. Fleming said. Removing the pancreatic tumor and then sparing the veins and arteries requires not only a high level of technical surgical skill but also a focused team of medical specialists collaborating on complex pancreatic cancer, Dr. Fleming said.
The MD Anderson study underscores the need for patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma to seek out a second opinion, Dr. Fleming said. “I would say to these patients and loved ones that it is important to advocate for yourself and your family, to seek out opinions, and not necessarily go with the first thing you hear as the answer,” Dr. Fleming said. “This study is an example of patients who have benefited by persisting. ‘Hope exists’ is the message we want these patients to hear,” he concluded.
Why does pancreatic cancer kill so quickly?
Pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed at a late stage because it doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s too late. Weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice [a yellowing of the skin due to toxic buildup in the liver]- those are the most common symptoms. They usually start after the tumor is a significant size. By then, chances are, it has metastasized [that is, spread to other parts of the body].
Only about 10 to 15 percent of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed when they could be considered for surgery. And the prognosis is poor even in patients who do have surgery, because it comes back about 85 percent of the time. At best, 25 to 30 percent of patients are alive five years after surgery.
When doctors do pancreatic cancer surgery, they take out 95 percent of the pancreas, including the tumor, and then they leave a small remnant of the pancreas in there that serves [the insulin-producing] functions.
If a person can live without a fully functional pancreas, then what, ultimately, kills most pancreatic cancer patients?
When most patients die of pancreatic cancer, they die of liver failure from their liver being taken over by tumor.
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What are some of main symptoms as the cancer progresses?
Unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Back pain is another one, because the pancreas is very posterior in the body. Back pain is also the most common complaint that patients go to an emergency room for, and most of the time it’s just muscle pain - it’s not pancreatic cancer.
The press reported that Upshaw’s wife brought him to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. What might have caused that?
It could be for a number of reasons, such as if the disease has spread to the lungs. If he was so run-down from having lost a significant amount of weight, and he was weak and fatigued, he could have had difficulty breathing, too. It’s hard to say.
Another important thing with pancreatic cancer is that it’s one of the cancers that is frequently associated with blood clots. He could have had a blood clot in the lung, called a Pulmonary embolism. It’s possible that that’s what killed him.
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About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 78,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit http://www.facs.org(.)
This work was supported by the Various Donor Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
CONTACT:
Cory Suzan Petty
312-202-5328
or
Sally Garneski
312-202-5409
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Cory Suzan Petty
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
312-202-5328
American College of Surgeons