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Cancer Community
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stage 4 pancreatic cancer prognosis
by Siamo Uno, Jan 14, 2008 08:41AM
My mother in law was just diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer with metastasis to her liver. There are numerous tumors on the pancreas and two fairly good sized tumors in her liver. She sees her dr. tomorrow and they will discuss what to do...will treatment even do any good with advanced disease? And what would you expect her prognosis to be? We are all just devastated by this news. She is 70 years old and aleady in serious pain and has lost 12 pounds in two weeks. She also suffers from Crohn's disease but that is under control with Remicade. Just want to know what to expect. Thanks.....
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There are chemotherapy treatment options however they seem to benefit a minority of patients and unfortunately, there are no clear guides to select which patients these are. In general, those that are up and about at least 50% of their waking hours are candidates. The gains are pretty modest, with treatment, expected survival at 1 year is about a 20% chance.
Beyond attempting to extend survival, more may be said about management of symptoms. There are procedures to avoid complications of obstruction of the tubes that connect pancreas and liver, procedures to numb nerve centers on the abdomen.
Try to keep an open mind and look at specific goals to guide you in making decisions.