Pancreas Cancer Life Expectancy

Question: what is the life expectancy for pancreas & liver cancer non-operable aged 43 woman, jaundice already set in ? only just found out and can only have chemo, but said i have has it for quite a while, as i have only abour 1inch left of my pancreas and have 2 tumors in my liver in seperate places thanks for answering if you can just for peice of mind hi, thanks for the answers its not me that has the cancer it is my mum and she is in deniel as my nan was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and she had radiotherapy she thinks she is hoing to be fine her veins are collapsing so she can only have meds oral given im just a bit worried as i am the next of kin & am going to see the cancer doctor on friday i use to be a supervisor in a company that cared for patients like my mum but did not ask any personal questions so i did not get invoved within the families but it is my mum im only 23, my sisters are 19 & 12 what do i say to them what questions could i ask the doctor ?

Answer: Hi Beth, I am sorry to hear about your mom. Most people with pancreatic cancer expire within 6-9 months of diagnosis. From what you are saying it sounds like your mom’s time is getting short. You need to tell your sisters, they have a right to know. You will find the right words. Ask the doctor about hospice. These people are truly wonderful and will not only help care for your mom, but the entire family. They specialize in end of life situations.

Question: Life Expectancy of Portal Vein Cancer? My father-in-law was recently diagnosed with bile duct cancer. He underwent surgery to have the bile duct removed and whipple surgery. The doc could not do the whipple surgery. The cancer had spread to over 1/2 of the pancreas, the lymph nodes, and had encapsulated the portal vein. Can anyone tell me an estimate of the amount of time that we have left with him? I know that it is only an estimate as only God knows when you're really going to go. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Answer: I am sorry about your father in law and that he had to undergone surgery or at attempted surgery for no reason. I don’t know how they could not have known ahead of time. Even when they are able to completely remove these tumors the 5year survival rate is about 12%. With the extent of his disease you probably have 3-4 months. If his doctor has not already suggested hospice I think you should bring it up to him or her. They are wonderful people who specialize in dealing with patients at the end of their lives. They not only work with the patient, but with the whole family and he can be at home if he wishes. I have included some links below to give you a better understanding of what they do. http://www.hospicenet.org/ http://www.hospicefoundation.org/