Got Pancreatic Cancer, Take Medicine For Pain And Have Itch. Will Operation Be Helpful?
Thanks for your query.
I am sorry to know about your grandma. Pancreatic cancer can be treated by operation if the disease is localized to the pancreas. It is a major surgery and carries a life-risk of 5-10%. Even then chances of recurrence are very high and the 5 yr survival rate is only 15%. If it has spread beyond the pancreas, then surgery is seldom possible.
But there is no other alternative which can produce even similar results, hence surgery is always recommended if it operable and the patient is fit enough.
Often I use paracetamol and tramadol to relieve the pain in this kind of situation. Itching may be due to jaundice. For this, antihistaminics like hydroxyzine or cetirizine produce good results.
Hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer further followup queries, if any.
This is a difficult disease and incurable in most
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for followup.
Surgery may give her disease free survival for a period which may be worthwhile. For example, if she lives 2 years, that is also something to her. Without treatment, survival is in months. But as I said that only 15 out of 100 go past 5 years and very few past 10 years.
I am sorry I can't say how much this surgery costs in your country. If you are not satisfied with the current doctors, you may seek opinion at a tertiary care center.
I have already mentioned the medicines about pain and itch which I would use in such a patient. I am afraid that regarding exact doses and schedule you may need to consult her physician. Or else, if some of these are available over the counter, you can try those.
Best regards