| About Pancreatic Cancer |
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Sickening Stats: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of
cancer. Once diagnosed, 90% of patients will die within one year. Less than
1% of those afflicted with the disease will live for 5 years or more.
cancer. Once diagnosed, 90% of patients will die within one year. Less than
1% of those afflicted with the disease will live for 5 years or more.
The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen
and behind the stomach so it's view is
obstructed during normal screenings.
Pancreatic caner is called the "Silent Killer"
because most victims do not even have
symptoms until the disease has reached an
advanced stage. Some symptoms include
becoming jaundiced (as reports state was the
case with Patrick Swayze) or experiencing pain,
as was the case with my mom, Connie) because
the tumor grows so large that it starts pressing up
against other organs or nerve endings.
and behind the stomach so it's view is
obstructed during normal screenings.
Pancreatic caner is called the "Silent Killer"
because most victims do not even have
symptoms until the disease has reached an
advanced stage. Some symptoms include
becoming jaundiced (as reports state was the
case with Patrick Swayze) or experiencing pain,
as was the case with my mom, Connie) because
the tumor grows so large that it starts pressing up
against other organs or nerve endings.
Only in rare instances is the cancer
detected in time (before it has invaded
major blood vessels and lymph nodes) and
is considered resectable, meaning it can
be removed by surgery. Even among those
patients who are fortunate enough to
receive surgery (known as the Whipple
procedure) there is only have a 21%
five-year survival rate according to a 1995
John Hopkins study. Once the symptoms
appear, most patients are categorized as a
Stage III/IV - meaning the cancer can not
be removed by surgery and patients are
often given "Standard Care/Palliative Care
Therapy" which may treat symptoms of the
disease and extend survival time, but will
not cure the cancer.
detected in time (before it has invaded
major blood vessels and lymph nodes) and
is considered resectable, meaning it can
be removed by surgery. Even among those
patients who are fortunate enough to
receive surgery (known as the Whipple
procedure) there is only have a 21%
five-year survival rate according to a 1995
John Hopkins study. Once the symptoms
appear, most patients are categorized as a
Stage III/IV - meaning the cancer can not
be removed by surgery and patients are
often given "Standard Care/Palliative Care
Therapy" which may treat symptoms of the
disease and extend survival time, but will
not cure the cancer.
The day my mother, Connie Loughman, was diagnosed, her Oncologist told us we had three
options:
1. Standard Care/Palliative Care - which we know will not provide a cure but may buy her
some additional time.
2. Hospice Care - ugh, not a real option as far as we were concerned.
3. Enter a Clinical Trial - which at least leaves the door open for a cure..we got a winner
here!!
options:
1. Standard Care/Palliative Care - which we know will not provide a cure but may buy her
some additional time.
2. Hospice Care - ugh, not a real option as far as we were concerned.
3. Enter a Clinical Trial - which at least leaves the door open for a cure..we got a winner
here!!
Since 95% of pancreatic cancer patients are not
diagnosed until they reach the In-Operable/Advanced
Stages of the disease, they too are likely given the
same three options. However there are differences in
what clinical trials are offered to patients. Presumably
most Oncologists are going to offer their patients the
trials they are familiar with and/or they are conducting
at their facility. Since most patients are in a state of
shock and are reluctant to delay treatment for fear the
diagnosed until they reach the In-Operable/Advanced
Stages of the disease, they too are likely given the
same three options. However there are differences in
what clinical trials are offered to patients. Presumably
most Oncologists are going to offer their patients the
trials they are familiar with and/or they are conducting
at their facility. Since most patients are in a state of
shock and are reluctant to delay treatment for fear the
disease will advance further, they tend to be a at the mercy of the advice of their oncologist
as to what trial to enter. Our family researched the different trials offered Clinical Trials
Database but without a medical background, the information is pretty hard to navigate.
Additionally, once a patient enrolls in a clinical trial, they lose the ability to enter most other
trials because scientists prefer to study patients who haven't received any other treatments.
Which is why my mother and Mr. Swayze are not eligible to participate in the most successful
Clinical Trial being offered, TNFerade.
as to what trial to enter. Our family researched the different trials offered Clinical Trials
Database but without a medical background, the information is pretty hard to navigate.
Additionally, once a patient enrolls in a clinical trial, they lose the ability to enter most other
trials because scientists prefer to study patients who haven't received any other treatments.
Which is why my mother and Mr. Swayze are not eligible to participate in the most successful
Clinical Trial being offered, TNFerade.