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Dad Recently Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

3,904 Views | 15 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by JW
YNWA.2013
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9:44a, 9/6/23
Hopefully one of the doctors or someone who has experience with prostate cancer sees this.

I'm trying to read the best I can online about it but it all seems like doom scrolling. Trying to get a better understanding of prognosis, what the treatment options mean for long-term outlook.

My dad says he was told it was Stage 2 and a Gleason score of 8. He goes to the MD tomorrow to discuss treatment options. But I want him to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible so he can ask good questions and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

We live in the Houston area so any help is appreciated with doctor/hospital recommendations, prognosis, treatment options, etc. Anything would be helpful as we try to navigate through this.

TIA

Edited: Bc I mistyped and it's prostate not pancreatic. [I don't know how to change the title, my apologies]
-FTA c/o 2013
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Tex117
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In reply to YNWA.2013 • 9:53a, 9/6/23
AG
YNWA.2013 said:
Hopefully one of the doctors or someone who has experience with pancreatic cancer sees this.

I'm trying to read the best I can online about it but it all seems like doom scrolling. Trying to get a better understanding of prognosis, what the treatment options mean for long-term outlook. My dad says he was told it was Stage 2 and a Gleason score of 8. He goes to the MD tomorrow to discuss treatment options. But I want him to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible so he can ask good questions and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

We live in the Houston area so any help is appreciated with doctor/hospital recommendations, prognosis, treatment options, etc. Anything would be helpful as we try to navigate through this.

TIA
Im so sorry to hear this.

Go directly to MD Anderson. They are truly one of the best cancer centers in the world.
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Vascular Ag
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9:55a, 9/6/23
AG
Are you sure it's pancreatic?

Gleason score is usually specific to prostate cancer and would have a much better prognosis
Vascular Ag '95
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YNWA.2013
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In reply to Vascular Ag • 9:58a, 9/6/23
Dammit. You're right. I mistyped. It's prostate cancer
-FTA c/o 2013
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Jackal99
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In reply to Tex117 • 10:16a, 9/6/23
AG
Tex117 said:
YNWA.2013 said:
Hopefully one of the doctors or someone who has experience with pancreatic cancer sees this.

I'm trying to read the best I can online about it but it all seems like doom scrolling. Trying to get a better understanding of prognosis, what the treatment options mean for long-term outlook. My dad says he was told it was Stage 2 and a Gleason score of 8. He goes to the MD tomorrow to discuss treatment options. But I want him to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible so he can ask good questions and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

We live in the Houston area so any help is appreciated with doctor/hospital recommendations, prognosis, treatment options, etc. Anything would be helpful as we try to navigate through this.

TIA
Im so sorry to hear this.

Go directly to MD Anderson. They are truly one of the best cancer centers in the world.


Completely agree.
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Moscin
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11:19a, 9/9/23
AG
Sorry to hear about this

I am about to turn 59 and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2022. Fortunately it was caught very early. My stage was T1c with a gleason score of 6. I was told it was the common slow growing type and not the aggressive one. I have been on active surveillance the past year. My PSA has creeped up so my urologist wanted a second opinion. He gave me two names one in Austin and Dr. Brian Miles with Houston Methodist. I met with Dr. Miles this past Tuesday. He reviewed my file and agreed with my docs active surveillance. However he wants to complete another biopsy in October to confirm the diagnosis and to see what if any changes.

I do agree about MD Anderson. However, my wife is an RN with St.Joseph here in BCS and explained to me that the type of cancer and being caught very early Dr. Miles is good. If it comes to a point of active treatment I will then review my options.

Hope this helps and best wishes to your father.
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southernboy1
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12:22p, 9/9/23
AG
I was diagnosed in September 2021. I ended up at urology Austin with Dr. Eric Geisler. Psa has been a .1 ever since. I choose to remove it because of my age. I'm back to functioning really well. It's a decision I'm glad I made but it is life changing and feels devastating at the time. Prayers
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Moscin
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1:38p, 9/9/23
AG
I was diagnosed in September 2021. I ended up at urology Austin with Dr. Eric Geisler. Psa has been a .1 ever since. I choose to remove it because of my age. I'm back to functioning really well. It's a decision I'm glad I made but it is life changing and feels devastating at the time. Prayers


I believe Dr. Geisler is the Dr. in Austin that I was also referred to.
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YNWA.2013
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7:56p, 9/9/23
Thank y'all for the responses and sharing y'all's story. I am glad y'all are still here to share and love.

My dad had a follow up on Thursday. He said they confirmed Stage II prostatic adenocarcinoma with a "Histologic grade of Primary pattern: 3, Secondary pattern: 4 and Total Gleason score: 8."

They discussed treatment options:
1. Radical Prostatectomy Surgery (robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, open radical retropubic prostatectomy +/- pelvic lymph node dissection)
2. Radiation treatment (pelvic external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy)
3. Cryoablation
4. Hormonal manipulation
5. Active surveillance
6. Chemotherapy (reserved for advanced, incurable disease, of which he has no evidence of)
7. HIFU and noted that it is considered "experimental" and is not standard of care in the United States.

He, my mom, and the doctor decided option 1 is the best course of action and will have it done a St Lukes Medical Center on Wednesday November 01, 2023 with "ROBOTIC LAPAROSCOPY,PROSTATECTOMY W/ PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION" with a fancy robot they call Da VINCI. The doctor is Dr. Philip Levy Ho
-FTA c/o 2013
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southernboy1
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8:31p, 9/9/23
AG
Good route. Get it over with. He'll have to walk around with a catheter for a week but it's worth it. Male kegels. They're fun to joke about after it's all said and done. I know this is no joke but he'll be fine.
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YNWA.2013
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7:14a, 12/13/23
UPDATE:

My dad underwent the Radical Prostatectomy on 10/15/2023 where they partially took out some of his prostate. He did have to have to have the catheter for 2 weeks which he said sucked but "you just deal with it, it's all short-term." He did not get the results if everything was in the clear until last week. So he is officially cancer-free/in remission. He will go back in 3 months, 6 months, and then annually to check his levels, but they think he is in the clear with no cancerous cells left behind.

I'd like to thank this group for their thoughts, advice, and experiences.

Thanks & Gig 'Em
-FTA c/o 2013
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MouthBQ98
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12:34p, 12/13/23
AG
Cool.
My dad was recently diagnosed stage 1C with Gleason 9. Ie it hasn't spread but if it does it could be bad. Low PSA though. Found it during a surgery to reduce prostate blockage of urinary tract.

He's getting radiation once his previous surgery is sufficiently healed.
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Moscin
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5:07p, 12/20/23
AG
Haven't checked this thread in a while. I'm having my surgery on 12/28. Stage T1c Gleason 7. Decided to go ahead and treat it since I am 59 and should have an easier recovery than if I waited. It changed from a 6 to a 7 in a year.

Not looking forward to the side effects though.
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Stringfellow Hawke
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3:59p, 12/21/23
AG
Just found the thread and have some thoughts to share. MD Anderson is a great resource and does a better job treating the common types of cancers. If the type of cancer is rare, it seemed like they shoot from the hip trying to treat the rare forms. I would not wait so long between the scans because a lot can change in the time between scans. Be prepared to fight the insurance companies to get treatment authorized.

Be wary of listening to Doctors that say things like, let's wait and see, cancer does not do that, doctors that send have a student, nurse practitioner or physician assistant in their place.

Take detailed notes and an be an advocate for your Dad. Reach out if you have any other questions.
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ratfacemcdougal
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8:25a, 1/10/24
Had mine removed in December. Dr Paul Smith and his staff and the hospital at Memorial Hermann Katy are just amazing. 100 plus stars for Dr Smith. No pain, cath removal in 7 days, no urinary issues, already getting erections. Two brothers had their procedure done with Dr Chapin at MD Anderson. It is interesting comparing notes and experiences from initial consulting to after care. Memorial Hermann has a Pelvic Floor department. All the staff there have been excellent also. They do education and therapy to help you strengthen your pelvic muscles and have a good kegel. ymmv
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JW
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11:19p, 1/15/24
AG
Everyone is different of course, but highly recommend surgery from an experienced MD over radiation treatment if given that option.
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