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Whipple Procedure- Pancreatic Cancer
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:25 pm
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:25 pm
My pops was diagnosed last month and started chemo and radiation earlier the month. They caught it early and the tumor can be removed surgically. Anyone know someone that has had this surgery? Apparently it is one if the most difficult surgeries to perform. Just looking for comments or experiences on the surgery.
17
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:29 pm to bamaphan13
extremely high morbidity. but he is lucky they can even try surgery.
only option at survival so I guess you take it.
only option at survival so I guess you take it.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:30 pm to bamaphan13
Also, whatever surgeon is doing it, ask how many Whipples he has performed. If it is less than 50 or so I'd look elsewhere.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:30 pm to bamaphan13
quote:
Over the last 15 years major pancreatic centers in the United States have developed excellent results for the Whipple surgery. In almost all the major centers the death rate from this surgery is now less than 5%.
LINK
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:32 pm to bamaphan13
Good luck to your pops. Prayers for your dad
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:32 pm to bamaphan13
It's a 6-10 hour surgery that can be very taxing on surgeon patient and family.
Very few pancreatic tumors even get to the OR and unfortunately those that are operated on still have a low 5 year overall survival rate. The fact that the tumor is operable is a good thing but the process is not easy and the disease is one of the worst cancers out there.
Wish y'all good luck and best wishes.
Very few pancreatic tumors even get to the OR and unfortunately those that are operated on still have a low 5 year overall survival rate. The fact that the tumor is operable is a good thing but the process is not easy and the disease is one of the worst cancers out there.
Wish y'all good luck and best wishes.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:33 pm to bamaphan13
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has an incredibly poor prognosis and this procedure is really the only chance those with it have if they are lucky enough to catch it early.
The whipple procedure is his only shot, so its a no brainer. Its difficult because the pancreas and gallbladder are situatied under, above and around many other organs, nerves and blood vessels and there is the risk of pancreatic enzymes leaking out during the procedure. That being said, the risk of actual complications is still less than 10%.
Good luck to your dad.
The whipple procedure is his only shot, so its a no brainer. Its difficult because the pancreas and gallbladder are situatied under, above and around many other organs, nerves and blood vessels and there is the risk of pancreatic enzymes leaking out during the procedure. That being said, the risk of actual complications is still less than 10%.
Good luck to your dad.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:34 pm to bamaphan13
I had a modified whipple last june. I would be dishonest if I said it wasnt, and to some degree still, the shittiest recovery imaginable. my bowels make dysentary look fun at times, and im just now getting back to full strength.
prayers to your pops, no matter what give him tons of support, do everything you can to keep his chin up.
where is he having the surgery?
prayers to your pops, no matter what give him tons of support, do everything you can to keep his chin up.
where is he having the surgery?
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:34 pm to ellunchboxo
We live in Houston so he is at MD Anderson. No concerns there. I thought maybe someone might have some first hand experience.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:36 pm to bamaphan13
Thats the best treatment center you could ask for, so you've done all you can.
If they get all the tumor and he doesnt have any surgical complications, his chances at survival will go up signficantly.
If they get all the tumor and he doesnt have any surgical complications, his chances at survival will go up signficantly.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:40 pm to ksayetiger
ksayetiger
You care to expand on your circumstances and experiences at all?
You care to expand on your circumstances and experiences at all?
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:42 pm to Roger Klarvin
Ok so recently I had a conversation with someone at Orlando Health who is a surgical oncologist. Make sure you have the right surgeon. This isn't a rookie job nor one for a general surgeon. He said he sees so many bad outcomes because the folks who don't do a significant number aren't proficient. That is all I have FWIW.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:47 pm to ksayetiger
quote:
ksayetiger
shite man. Sorry.
Wish you the best.
I think we may have had an e-spat before.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:52 pm to CaptainJ47
quote:
Make sure you have the right surgeon. This isn't a rookie job nor one for a general surgeon
Not many chances to do a Whipple I guess. Thankfully.
It violates "Rule#1" of surgery. "Don't frick with the pancreas." Old joke an ER doc told me his surgical attending once told him.
As already said recovery is difficult because of the enormous amount of shite the pancreas does.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:53 pm to bamaphan13
Prayers to your dad.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 7:56 pm to bamaphan13
It's challenging and not all that common because they often don't catch pancreatic cancer until later. It's a great sign that they are going to operate. They must have caught it very early. Make sure your doctor is experienced....and at MD Anderson, your dad will get the best possible care.
We'll say a prayer for him. Good luck to you and your family.
We'll say a prayer for him. Good luck to you and your family.
This post was edited on 4/22/14 at 7:57 pm
Posted on 4/22/14 at 8:02 pm to bamaphan13
Pancreatic cancer has a much better survival rate now than it did before the middle 90's. I have patients that do great with the Whipple procedure and then with Gemzar (a great drug that came to market for pancreatic in the middle 90's).Good luck to him
This post was edited on 4/22/14 at 8:07 pm
Posted on 4/22/14 at 8:03 pm to bamaphan13
pancreatic cancer is a tough one to crack...however, I do know a lady who had it and had surgery about 15 years ago and is still cancer free...
keep your head up, man...
keep your head up, man...
Posted on 4/22/14 at 8:04 pm to dewster
I went to University of Texas MD Anderson.
Typically if you go to a cancer center like this they typically have the best treatment.
Wish your family the best.
Typically if you go to a cancer center like this they typically have the best treatment.
Wish your family the best.
Posted on 4/22/14 at 8:05 pm to bamaphan13
quote:
My pops was diagnosed last month and started chemo and radiation earlier the month. They caught it early and the tumor can be removed surgically. Anyone know someone that has had this surgery? Apparently it is one if the most difficult surgeries to perform. Just looking for comments or experiences on the surgery.
My father had the Whipple procedure performed, I forget how advanced the cancer was at the time of diagnosis. It left him weak, but he was back to work within a few months. Not sure of the long term implications, as within 5 months he had a setback post-recovery.
The surgeon and oncologist should be able to give a realistic picture of how well the surgery went (e.g. thoroughness of visible tumor removal) and prognosis after recovery.
This post was edited on 4/22/14 at 8:08 pm
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