Pancreatic cancer question...

Here's the scenario.... Looking for experience and honest answers....

Obese Woman, early 70's

Already diagnosed with diabetes for a few years

Around March, lost about 25 lbs. not massive weight loss... Considering her size. Enough to get compliments. She wasn't sure what caused the weight loss, but didn't really mind it. Assumed it was either getting older, or the diabetes.

Appetite decreases. Weight loss continues. 50 lbs. 75 lbs by July 4th weekend. Severe fatigue, sleeping all weekend, stomach and digestion issues.

Yesterday, diagnosed with malignant tumor. Pancreatic cancer.

Be honest.

Is this advanced stage pancreatic cancer? Is this something moving insanely fast?

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

2 - 4 months. I am extremely sorry.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Talk on FB.

Pancreatic cancer question...

To be honest....It sounds like an advanced stage to me.

My grandmother had and passed from pancreatic cancer...once you notice a weight loss and/or have stomach pains, it is usually to late to treat we were told by the doctor. She lost 30lbs doing nothing, she thought it was "watching" what she was eating then her stomach started hurting, by the time they found the tumor it was to late...she ended up passing in 4 months from the date the found it.

IF you want more in detail please feel free to private message me

Message edited 7/16/2013 10:53:52 PM.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Pancreatic and lung cancer are the deadliest cancers- they are often diagnosed at late stages and that is why the survival rates are among the lowest.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

DH's grandmother had it.

By the time she was diagnosed, she had less than 3 months to live.

Like the PP said, in the majority of cases,by the time it's diagnosed, it's advanced and the patient has only a few months left.

I'm sorry.

Pancreatic cancer question...

My cousin's husband was severely, severely obese. Suddenly he started losing massive amounts of weight, very unexplained. Went to the dr, it was pancreatic cancer.. I'm not sure what stage, I was in my teens when it happened. The doctors gave him six months, but he passed after 6 weeks, and lost over a hundred pounds in just a few months (he was well over 400 lbs, probably more). I'm sorry for your friend/family member.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

So.... The fall?

That's it?

There's no chance of beating it. Like... None, right? No one ever survived pancreatic cancer?

And it's weeks to months? Not years? Ever?

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

My Aunt had it. They only catch it when it's advanced. She was diagnosed on Halloween 2007 and she passed on February 5 2008. All she could do was be comfortable. It's was so fast and vicious.

I'm so very very sorry.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Was the diabetes years ago the beginning symptom of it? I read that there's a link....

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Posted by cds58019

Posted by lipglossjunky73

So.... The fall?

That's it?

There's no chance of beating it. Like... None, right? No one ever survived pancreatic cancer?

And it's weeks to months? Not years? Ever?

My grandmother had pancreatic cancer and was responding very well to her chemo. Her numbers dropped drastically and she was overall doing well. But because of her weakened immune system she got pneumonia and ended up passing away from that. But up until then it was looking promising for her.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

I had Pancreatic Cancer at age 24. Stage 2.
Last month my family threw me a surprise 40th birthday party. I was very lucky,almost a miracle I would say because survival rate is 4%. My doctors said I had my age on my side & was diagnosed very early on within a month. It was a fluke, the tumor was spreading to my liver, spleen & nerve in my spine & thats what made me seek help FAST, such pain that I would pass out. Catscan on Friday, surgery on Monday at NYU Medical Center.They removed the body & tail of the pancreas (head stayed because you cannot function without it) spleen & part of my liver. I have a whipple scar which looks like a Boomerang across my whole torso.Chemo followed.
In most cases its a silent killer. I was not obese but pretty chunky, borderline diabetic.
Today I still receive treatments at Monter Cancer Center & live a healthier lifestyle.
Do NOT hesitate.. get help fast!
I am soooo sorry

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Posted by jana

I had Pancreatic Cancer at age 24. Stage 2.
Last month my family threw me a surprise 40th birthday party. I was very lucky,almost a miracle I would say because survival rate is 4%. My doctors said I had my age on my side & was diagnosed very early on within a month. It was a fluke, the tumor was spreading to my liver, spleen & nerve in my spine & thats what made me seek help FAST, such pain that I would pass out. Catscan on Friday, surgery on Monday at NYU Medical Center.They removed the body & tail of the pancreas (head stayed because you cannot function without it) spleen & part of my liver. I have a whipple scar which looks like a Boomerang across my whole torso.Chemo followed.
In most cases its a silent killer. I was not obese but pretty chunky, borderline diabetic.
Today I still receive treatments at Monter Cancer Center & live a healthier lifestyle.
Do NOT hesitate.. get help fast!
I am soooo sorry

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Posted by FirstMate

Posted by lipglossjunky73

So.... The fall?

That's it?

There's no chance of beating it. Like... None, right? No one ever survived pancreatic cancer?

And it's weeks to months? Not years? Ever?

Sometimes a whipple procedure can be performed with success depending upon the staging. Otherwise, it's normally a very aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. I do not believe diabetes is a precursor but im not certain. I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

Pancreatic cancer question...

By the time my mom was diagnosed, she was at stage 4 and lived another 10 months, which was longer than they thought. I'm so sorry! I don't know about any link with diabetes.

Jana, your story is amazing. I'm so glad when I hear about peole beating the odds of this terrible disease!

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Thank you ladies. There is another poster on here with a very similar story to mine, I won't "out" her because its her story to tell. There are survivors although unfortunately rare.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

My grandmother had it, same symptoms, also diabetic. Diagnosed at age 90. No treatment, just made her comfortable. Lived for a year. She was strong as a bull

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

Pancreatic cancer question...

A close friend dealt with this with her MIL. Dramatic weight loss and exhaustion were the first symptoms and she was diagnosed at stage 4. Underwent rigorous treatment but all in all it was about 6 months from diagnosis to when she passed.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

I can only answer based on my experience (which may of course might not be the norm) but my grandfather died of pancreatic cancer. He was complaining of back pain one day at the doctor and they discovered he had pancreatic cancer. However, with him, it had already spread into other places like his bones which is why he had the back pain. It was everywhere by the time they discovered the cancer. He died about two months after being diagnosed.

I'm so very sorry.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

On the topic of diabetes - there's a ton of research ongoing to study the link between diabetes amd nutrition and different forms of cancer. Some of the data is very compelling that there is an almost direct relationship (that sugars "feed" tumors).

They have to get further down the road on this research before there are definitive findings.

Good luck to you and your friend/family.

Re: Pancreatic cancer question...

My mom passed away with it. It is caught in the later stages which is why the success rate is low. I know my best friends mom is a survivor. But she is not doing well at this moment. Sorry....hope things get better and get her to a good place.