Pancreas Cancer Stages

Question: final stages of pancreas cancer and the signs? my grand father has been diagnosed with pancreas cancer and been told he has less than a week, i was just wondering what the final stages are and what the signs of the last few days are like. at the moment he is in hospital and the toxin that was in his liver has travelled to his brain and he doesn't recognise us. how long will it be before he passes?

Answer: There are physical signs when the patient is 'actively dying' . . this is far different than what people call 'terminal' . . 'actively dying' refers to the actual physical shutting down of the body that leads to death. It may come as a surprise to you but just like everything else . . each individual experiences actively dying and death differently. There is no right or wrong way . . and dying just like birth can be hard work as the body struggles to stay alive. Much of what you will see from a dying patient however is more stressful for the living who watch this than for the patient. Your grandfather will probably be quite calm as he has accepted what all mortals will one day face . . so all that needs to be done is to keep him comfortable, be available to see him, tell him it is okay to go, and help ease the passage. You can find out more information about this final stage of life at the NCI, which explains the physical signs of approaching death . . there is no 'timeframe' . . some patients can take weeks and others hours . . there is no way to know before hand which path your grandfather will go : End of Life Issues http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/facts… "Signs that death is imminent (active dying): Not all of these occur - everyone is different * Cool arms and legs. While the hands, arms, feet and legs will feel cool to the touch, your loved one's trunk will feel warm. * Bluish coloration. Fingers, earlobes, lips and nail beds may turn blue. * Purple coloration on the legs. Also called mottling, this blotchy coloring is one of the clearest signs that death is approaching. * No longer eating or drinking. Your loved one may not feel like eating, or he or she may no longer be able to swallow. * Congested breathing. Noisy breathing is sometimes called the "death rattle." As secretions from the lungs build up, your loved one may no longer be able to cough up these secretions. Eventually the secretions will dry up because your loved one's body may become dehydrated after he or she stops eating and drinking. Medications can control congestion if your loved one feels uncomfortable. * Irregular breathing. Breathing patterns may change in depth and rate. Your loved one may also stop breathing for several seconds at a time. Keep in mind that your loved one generally isn't aware of these changes. * Discolored urine. If your loved one stops taking in liquids, there will be less urine and it will be darker in color. * Incontinence. As muscles that control bowel movements and urination relax, your loved one may experience incontinence. * Blurred vision. His or her eyes may appear glassy and unfocused. * Limited ability to communicate. Your loved one may lose the ability to speak. He or she most likely can still hear you. * Confusion and agitation. This can be subtle or pronounced, involving jerking motions, hallucinations or delirium."

Question: What are the chances of living with pancreas cancer? I just found out that my uncle has pancreas cancer and it had spread to his liver. They have not determined what "stage" he is in, as this news is very recent. What are the chances that he will overcome this disease and live? Right now I'm hoping for a miracle and praying real hard

Answer: Data from the ACS (American Cancer Society) indicates perhaps 1% chance of five year survival with stage IV pancreatic cancer. If the pancreatic cancer has truly spread to the liver, it is stage IV. Here's the site http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/conten… 5-year relative survival for pancreatic cancer Stage IA 37% Stage IB 21% Stage IIA 12% Stage IIB 6% Stage III 2% Stage IV 1% Overall, about 20% of people with pancreatic cancer live at least 1 year after diagnosis, while less than 4% will be alive after 5 years.

Question: my mom is dieing from stage 4 pancreas cancer and i want to know what to expect?

Answer: stage 4 for n e cancer type is considered the most deadly and most severe.theres three stages.1st,2nd,3rd and 4th being the worst.im afraid your mom might not have very long to live so spend as much time with her as possible.im very sorry

Question: is there any proper and guranteed treatment for 4th stage cancer of pancreas,other than allopathy system ? one of my close relatives has been diagonosed with it. doctors are suggesting chemeotheraphy, for which the patient is not agreeing.

Answer: 1st of all, any one promising a guranteed treatment for any disease is not being truthful. It is impossible to predict how different humans are going to react to different treatment. That being said there is very little that can be done for your relative other than making them as comfortable as possible. Pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages is a terrible disease and is even worse when it has progressed. I am not sure how old the person is but forgoing chemo and enjoying the time they have left is a legitimate option.

Question: How quickly does pancreas cancer spread? How quickly does it go from stage 1 to stage 4?

Answer: For my Mom, it was about 3 months I'm guessing. She started having belly pains in December 2008 and was diagnosed stage IV April 1,2008. She passed away July 30, 2008.

Question: Massive cancer. i.e. colon, pancreas, spleen, blood vessels and fatty tissue. What stage is this cancer? My Dad has massive cancer all over in his colon, pancreas, spleen, blood vessels and fatty tissues. Was unable to take any thing out because it is so massive. What stage of cancer is this and how long would the chemo keep him alive? He is 74.

Answer: It is called advanced stage or stage IV cancer . . you do not say what type of cancer this is . . but if it is colon cancer than what has happened is that the original tumor has 'seeded' and sent new malignancies out through the blood stream or lymphatic system. Those 'seeds' lodge far away from the original site of the cancer and start a whole new cancer colony . . which than repeats the whole cycle. This will go on indefinitely if no treatment stops it . . until the body is filled with cancer. There are survivors of this stage of cancer . . I know because the type of cancer my son had . . starts as multiple abdominal tumors. Almost everyone we know has advanced cancer . . many have died . . but some have survived . . in fact, lately, there have been more survivors than in the past. To give you an idea . . my son was 17 at diagnosis and had five large abdominal tumors . . one the size of a volley ball. He had disease on his spleen, large and small intestine, diaphragm, liver, pleural lining, peritoneal lining, pelvis behind the bladder . . and lymph node involvement. That was at diagnosis. He underwent high dose chemotherapy and two major surgeries including a chemoperfuison in the abdomen. He responded signficantly and at the last surgery was 'no evidence of any disease'. The chemo and surgery had gotten rid of all visible signs of cancer. He enjoyed a nine month remission, but relapsed in the diaphragm. He was a candidate for stem cell transplant, but while waiting for a newer chemo drug .he had significant relapse and was gone within a month. The point is . . your father may have stage IV cancer . . but depending on his response to treatment . . he may also have a remission. No one knows at this point . . but it is a chance. As for your father . . it is difficult to say how he will fare . . advanced cancer at his age is extremely difficult to treat . . but it can be done under the right circumstances. Your dad will have many decisions to make and so will the rest of you. Stay strong, no matter what the decision turns out to be. You might want to check out information regarding the type of cancer your dad has . . or at some point consider having him go to a comprehensive cancer center . . you can ask for a referral: National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/ NCI: Cancer Centers List - best cancer research and hospitals http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_c…

Question: how do you get pancreatic cancer? Roughly 2 years ago, my aunt passed away because of pancreatic cancer. Few months she passed away, she had back pains and she said that she had hard time breathing. then when she went to a hospital, they told her that she only had 3~4 months left. Today, when i was thinking about her, i decided to do some research on pancreatic cancer. it is said that it is often caused by drinking,or smoking. Now my aunt who didn't smoke and barely drank, i wanted to know how she can get pancreas cancer. and what stage she was in.

Answer: Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars. Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and surgical removal isn't possible. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and to continue living after normal cells would die. These accumulating cells can form a tumor. Factors that may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer include: - Smoking. - Being overweight or obese. - Personal or family history of chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). - Personal or family history of pancreatic cancer. - Family history of genetic syndromes that can increase cancer risk, including a BRCA2 gene mutation, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM). - Older age. Pancreatic cancer occurs most often in older adults. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are in their 70s and 80s. - Being black. Pancreatic cancer occurs more frequently in blacks than in whites. -

Question: PANCREAS CANCER! Please read now......................!? For the past 2 months my Grandma in the Philippines is suffering from Pancreas Cancer and I am very sad that she is in stage 4. It has been two years since we last hugged each other I am just wondering, what is the cause of her disease? I look at wiki but I don't know which one: Age (particularly over 60)[2] Male gender African-American ethnicity[2] Smoking. Cigarette smoking nearly doubles one's risk, and the risk persists for at least a decade after quitting. [5] Diets low in vegetables and fruits[citation needed] Diets high in red meat[6] Obesity[7] Diabetes mellitus Chronic pancreatitis has been linked, but is not known to be causal Helicobacter pylori infection Family history, 5-10% of pancreatic cancer patients have a family history of pancreatic cancer. The genes responsible for most of this clustering in families have yet to be identified. Pancreatic cancer has been associated with the following syndromes; autosomal recessive ataxia-telangiectasia and autosomal dominantly inherited mutations in the BRCA2 gene, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome due to mutations in the STK11 tumor suppressor gene, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome), familial adenomatous polyposis, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma-pancreatic cancer syndrome (FAMMM-PC) due to mutations in the CDKN2A tumor suppressor gene.[8][1] Gingivitis or periodontal disease.[9] Alcohol might be a risk factor – see Pancreatic cancer section in Alcohol and cancer When I lived with her for a decade, she did not qualify to all the things that I listed above EXCEPT she is 74 years old OR maybe she ate dirty foods. Please pray for my grandma because she has 3 months to live.

Answer: It is not possible to determine the exact cause for most cancers. The risk factors that you have listed are correlations, not causes. What this means is that we know the risk factor and the disease are linked, but not that one causes another. When we figure out the specific mechanism that causes a cancer, we are well on the way to finding a cure. We are just not there yet with most cancers.

Question: Cancer stages question? My dad was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer . When it was discovered dr's did a exploratory surgery ,and found the tumor had grown into the blood vessels surrounding the pancreas so surgery to remove the tumor wasnt an option . Dad was given a time frame of 12 - 18 months . Today he went to his Dr and was told the cancer has spread ,and more tests were needed to determine where ,and how advanced . He was also told that the blood vessel going to the pancreas was blocked ,and that it was figured that was where the cancer has spread . Also they found a spot of my dads lung ,but arent going to worry about it ??? Im assuming becasue dad is already dying they dont want to be concerned. My question is to me this sounds like the cancer has spread to blood vessels ...am i right ??? And if I am right what does this mean for my dad ??? Dr's have also stopped all chemo now ,they say it isnt going to help anymore ,and that now its a matter of keeping him comfortable. Dad is still pretty active ,he drives ,and still visits friends when he is feeling up to it. How fast will this effect my dads condition now ?? If it has spread to blood vessels doesnt that mean the cancer will spread faster through his blood ??? Thanks for any help you can give me .

Answer: I can't honestly say what that means but always get a second opinion, when my brother had cancer he went from stage 1 to stage 2 in a week and once surgery is done it spreads faster and honestly if my mother would have not suggested a second opinion he probably would have not made it but thank god he is still with us and cancer free for more than 10 years.... If he feels good, always get the second opions.

Question: How does a person maintain weight during chemotherapy? My buddy started chemo treatment 5 months ago for stage-A pancreas cancer. He has lost a lot of weight. I need answers from those who had similar experience or knew someone who had. Thanks!

Answer: Maintaining a patient's weight is difficult enough with cancer wherein the patient is in sort of a catabolic state specially pancreatic cancer. Add to the dilema chemotherapy with its after effects of nausea, vomiting, anorexia, et al. What your friend can do is ask his doctor or consult a dietician as to how your buddy can improve his nutritional status and maybe get some suppliments or even enteral nutrition. He can also take commercially available products from a long list like as was Sustagen, Ensure Plus, etc that may help. They come in different flavors to suit your friends palate. But better still to ask his doctor or a dietician so that they can compute how much of the drink your friend needs on a daily basis. If your friend does not gain weight with oral intake or if he continues to get malnourished, then he might have to be brought to the hospital for parenteral nutrition which is given through an IV line and later even have the IV feeding at home or have a tube inserted into his stomach or small intestines (PEG tube or gstrostomy tube or jejunostomy tube) and given enteral feeding through the tube. You can check this site for some information regarding enteral nutrition which includes a list of products available. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/usp…

Question: my father is having cancer in pancreas. he used to be so fit but he had lost his weight in last 6 months .? we reffered to so many doctors but no body came to know that he is having cancer. at that time it was the initial stage only. now that we had came to know his condition is so bad. he used to be so fit. he used to do yoga everyday.one doctor had responded to us please anybody of you con help me then please do. i would be very grateful to you. that doctor is from indoor. thank you.

Answer: Gosh, this sounds familiar. My mother-in-law was in exactly the same position... couldn't eat, lost a ton of weight, and nobody could tell us what was wrong. They finally operated, and found that it was pancreatic cancer. I would love to be able to tell you that everything went well, and that she came out OK, but she didn't. Remember that every individual responds to treatment differently, and for all I know there are new procedures out there (Pavarotti just underwent a successful operation to remove a tumor on his pancreas). GET 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions!! I know this probably didn't help much, but sometimes it's nice to know your not alone!!!

Question: Pancreatic cancer? Is it possible to cure stage IV pancreatic cancer? My uncle has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer found in liver, pancreas and lungs, but his oncologist told him that he can "cure" it within six months using chemotherapy. Is this true?

Answer: STAGE IV means just before terminal position and in my opinion cure may not be possible at all. If your doctor is assuring cure in 6 months, then there is nothing like that and you have to go with his word and treatments. But a patient with chemotherapy of 6 month, living there after is also have a remote possibility. The prognosis of Pancreatic cancer is that Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer typically have a poor prognosis partly because the cancer usually causes no symptoms early on, leading to metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 3 to 6 months; 5-year survival is much less than 5% With 32,180 new diagnoses in the United States every year, and 31,800 deaths, mortality approaches 99%, giving pancreatic cancer the #1 fatality rate of all cancers and the #4 cancer killer in the United States amongst both men and women. Any way please try as nothing is in our hands. Best of luck-

Question: My brother-in-law has colon cancer,his colon has been removed now the dr has adviced for chemotherapy..? My brother-in-law has colon cancer,his colon has been removed now the dr has adviced for chemotherapy as it has spread in his pancreas.Doctors has adviced for a test to know exactly its a pancreatic cancer or not...what does this means and how do we know the cancer is @ what stage?

Answer: Hello Hard to answer this question because it'll be first too long to explain all this, than to answer in details is impossible because only the dr knows exactly this patient. Otherwise I'll try to give you the maximum of informations with the little wich you wrote. They need to know where is exactly the first hearth of the cancer. That means where did it appear first and then it metastased to the colon. When that will be well diagnosed, the therapy will be perhaps different: surgery, chemotherapy... The stage of any cancer depends on how big it is, wich body is reached, if only the original body is affected or also the neighbor bodies, or the others such as ganglions... All this is important to test and know to make right decisions by therapy. Now, wath I can say is that it's not easy FOR HIM and for all the familie; but one of the most important think for the cure, is his mood and the presence of all her family, friends all lovest persons with him. You've got to be strong and courageous and never show him that it's stressfull even it is. Good luck

Question: Stage 4 cancer????????????????? My boyfriends father was diagnosed with stomach cancer december of last year. He had the surgery to remove his stomach today, although everything went well the doctors say the cancer has spread into his pancreas and some large blood vessels. They say its in stage 4. When he recovers he will be going through chemo and radiation. is he going to die? I mean how serious is this exactly?

Answer: pretty serious but will still recover

Question: Cervical Cancer Stage 4b? Hi, 2 months ago my sister was diagnosed with cervical cancer. We found out last week that it has spread to her lungs. She has not started any treatment yet because she has pancreatitis. The doctor said that they cannot start any treatment until her pancreas swells down. She's 29 years old and I just feel that her body is already shutting down on her. She's always tired and has no appetite. I just feel so helpless and scared that she's going to leave me. She's been in alot of pain, contraction type of pain, and it hurts just to see her like that. We were told by the nurse that she's at a very high risk. I know that there's really no answer to how long she has, but after reading my story, I just would like to know what are her chances of surviving this cancer if any.

Answer: Hi. I'm sorry to hear this, but the best way to take away some of that fear is to be activist in making sure she gets the best treatment possible. I have a couple suggestions but first...please don't let her get overly alarmed about how she's feeling right now. You don't say whether she's got acute or chronic pancreatitis but each conditions poses all sorts of problems. The acute form in particular is painful. If she's thinking this is all due to cancer, that's likely not true. In terms of research, the first place I'd check is nih.gov and go to their clinical trials section (also ask your onc about this). You don't want a Stage One trial. Also, one of the best ways to get up-to-date info and lots of support is online forums dedicated to specific cancers. Google message boards or forums for cervical cancer, ideally finding one for metastasized. Your sis's illness is completely different from a small Stage I removed surgically. That's why she'd want to talk to those in her same position. If you can't find one, though, you can ask about them. And of course you can try to locate this kind of info through the American Cancer Society or Cervical Cancer org at http://www.nccc-online.org/ I don't mean to be trite, but information is power and nowhere is this more true than in a situation like this. If your sis is this young and otherwise healthy, there can be many options for her that might add years to her prognosis. Finally, when the pancreas gets under control, and if you can afford it, while you're researching you will probably find names of eminent docs treating this. If at all possible, your sis should try to see one of them for a second opinion. People often think the treatment for these complex cancers is black and white, and it isn't. It's often more art than science, and it's very common for 2 oncs to say different things. Good luck and I hope she's feeling better soon!

Question: Its all too much (best answer)? My papaw who is in the advanced stages of pancreas cancer just moved in with us and so did his son (my uncle) who is special needs and we already take care of my cousin who is special needs. Its all taking a toll on me school starts back Monday and Im debating on taking this semester off because there is so much stress and worry going on in my life. Would that be a bad Idea or and good idea? I feel I cant take much more, and to add to my worries I have a boyfriend who really inst here for me atm and I really could use him so much right now, but I don't wanna nag and make him mad. Any advice would be good. Thanks you.

Answer: I know how you feel. You feel obligated. My brother is handicap and sometimes I get stressed out with helping my parents like taking care of him. I get mad sometimes. I can't even get myself to move out of the house because during the day my mom and brother are home alone and I worry about what if something were to happen to them who would know. I'm always worried about what would happen to my brother when my parents pass away. I know its wrong to think like this but I feel like I have my own life to live but yet I'm obligated to him because its just the two of us, who will take care of him then. But when my grandma passed away back in 2003 she had alzheimer's disease, I felt like I needed to do more for my brother. When she died my family even myself had so much regrets. There was so much I wish I could have done for her. We were so stressed out because of how she was acting and it drove us crazy. But when she finally passed on we were heart broken, I was heart broken because I felt like I should have done more. My advice is if you feel like you've done what you could for them then go ahead and do your own thing do what you need to do for you. And if helping out doesn't affect your life then when you can as much as you can try to help out. But don't feel obligated to. You will only feel guilty later. As for your boyfriend hes a big douche for not being there for you and you should consider another boyfriend who would be there for you.