My father’s bile duct cancer?

Discussion Board Forums General Discussion My father’s bile duct cancer?

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 44 total)
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  • #31473
    adam
    Spectator

    Gavin, I think they said that Gemcitibine works better than 5-FU. I read that Tarceva has better results but who knows? I will search this site as you and Lainy mentioned.

    Thank you

    #31472
    gavin
    Moderator

    Hi Adam,

    I am sorry to hear about your dad. As Lainy has said, the search function here on the site will throw up a ton of discusions on Gemcitabine, and the chemo board may also be of help to you. You can find it here –

    http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/viewforum.php?id=16

    Also, did your dads doctors say why exactly they felt 5-FU would not work?

    My best wishes to you and your dad,

    Gavin

    #31471
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hi Adam and sorry about the turn of events. If you go to our search engine and type in Gemcitabine many posts will come up with the subject. I know a few have had it alone but most have had the cocktail of Gem/Cis which seems to be the one of choice. Good luck to Dad on his Chemo threatments and we hope to hear some better news.

    #31470
    adam
    Spectator

    It seems cancer in my father has not metastasized but spread close to an important blood vessel so whipple is not an option now. They will give him gemcitabine to try to kill some of it and re asses in 2 months. Starts tuesday. RWJ said it was CC but Sloan says pancreatic. Treatment the same. They said the 5fu wouldn’t help with this type of cancer. I don’t even know what it is but I asked. has gemcatabine alone helped anyone with this?

    #31469
    marions
    Moderator

    Adam…some facilities use Stereotactic Linear Accelerator with Image Guided Radiotherapy or the Gamma knife. Had anyone suggested a visit with a radiology oncologist?
    Good luck with the upcoming appointment and the awaited clarification of the findings at Sloan. Please, keep us posted.
    All my best wishes,
    Marion

    #31468
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hi Adam, you answered my question as I was just going to ask again about Cyber Knife. The tumor must be under 7cm which it is, so I am wondering why they have not mentioned it. It would also be one of the easiest things for Dad to go through. I am so glad you are all happy at SK as that makes a big difference in attitudes. Good luck and I know you will keep us posted.

    #31467
    adam
    Spectator

    yes scan with contrast. Surgeon says its stage 1 or 2. suggests chemo and says no rush. Says not candidate for whipple now. this makes no sense to me. No word on cyberknife either. A consultation with Dr. Oreily will hopefully answer more questions. God Bless.

    #31466
    marions
    Moderator

    Adam…are you talking about a scan with contrast?
    Also, this is a silent growing cancer until symptoms appears. Therefore, your Dad’s cancer surfaced at a later stage. Adam, this often times is the case in fact, I believe it is this way for the majority of patients. There are no early detection methods in place for this disease.
    This diagnosis comes to a shock to most and I would assume that your Dad is trying to handle it as best he can. This may explain his appearing to be tough. Hang in there, Adam. Much information is yet to come your way. And please, stay in touch. Also, ranting and raving is just fine with us. This is the place to do just that. Just know that we care.
    All my best wishes,
    Marion

    #31465
    adam
    Spectator

    Hello,
    We finally went to Sloan. RWJ said he needed bypass surgery no matter what but we found out from Dr. Oreily about a test that shows much more than a pet scan. At RWJ it felt like we were bothering everyone and they were cold. Sloan is better. Test includes dye I think but I can’t remember the name of it. He’ll go next week. If it shows cancer spread to important blood vessels then whipple is out for sure. He probably will not have this even if possible. They told him it was probably cancer 2 years ago. Nothing showed for all this time but last stent change a 3.5CM tumor. My dad is acting differently and it is a little tough. I am trying to be strong as you all appear to be.

    #31464
    marions
    Moderator

    Hello mammaluv…and welcome to our site. The loss of appetite is quite common with this disease. Does your grandma have problems digesting food? Supplemental nutrition such as Boost may be helpful. Enzymes for aiding digestion and small, protein rich food have been suggested by others. Please, share more with us. The combined knowledge and experience of the members on this site is unsurpassed. And, everyone will gladly help you along.
    All my best wishes,
    Marion

    #31463
    mammaluv
    Spectator

    Hello new to the site
    my grandmother has bile duct cancer. she is 90yrs! so far she has gotten the stent put in. itching has stop. she still looks very yellow and is not eating

    *Marions
    did you mom have lost a appitit?

    #31462
    lainy
    Spectator

    Adam, I agree with you about the Whipple at 84. It is the biggest surgery to the human body, not life threatening but huge. The recovery is usually a few months. It will be good to hear what SK has to say. Hang in, be strong!
    P.S. Did they happen to mention Cyber Knife? It is non invasive and the tumor has to be under 7cm which it is. My husband had CK a few years ago.

    #31461
    adam
    Spectator

    I think incurable because of his health. Diabetes, 2 of 3 arteries fully blocked and other things. Only thing is whipple which would probably be too much as he is 84 also. We shall see what petscan shows.

    #31460
    lainy
    Spectator

    Dear Adam, I am so very sorry to hear about your father. Did they say why it in incurable at 3 CM? I hope you get him in to SK. Please let us know.

    #31459
    adam
    Spectator

    Hello, I have been off this site a while. My father’s unseen tumor is now about 3 cm. They found it last week when inserting metal b-duct stent. We are told it’s incurable. He has petscan apt. next Thursday and we will try to get him into sloan k asap. I heard they are caring there. Bypass surgery has been mentioned. He also has a lump on his leg that makes me fearful this has spread. He is so loving, caring , funny and great. You would love him if you met him. Sorry to be so wordy.

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 44 total)
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