My Father had the whipple surgery done last July for Pancreatic Cancer.Upon completion of the surgery the Dr. said it had gone to 2 of his lymph nodes which were removed as well during the surgery. He qualified to be in a Pancreatic Cancer research study.In arm 1 he received 5 months of chemo. (3 weeks on once a week then 1 week off ) He successfully completed arm 1 and then was randomized again after his labs and ct scan came back good and was placed in arm 3 of the study which consisted of 1 more month of chemo.He completed his last cycle at the end of February. He went back for a cat scan and his blood work at the end of April. The results of the ct scan where good-no signs of the tumor returning. However the Dr. was extremely alarmed by his ca19-9; labs. The number was 352. I myself just kinda went numb at the time as did my Dad. I just couldn't think. Now that i have had a chance to try to take all of this in, i realize more than likely it has returned. Dads Dr. has been straight forward from the beginning. He didn't mince words. and said the cancer would return, it was just a matter of when. My question is could there still be an option of Radiation Therapy since my Dad was not selected for that treatment in the research study? His only complaint now is how tired he is, and unfortunately that is how all this started. I take my Dad back to the Dr. on June 4th.Please help guide me in the questions i should ask no matter how hard they may be. I need to understand as much as I can to help my Dad understand. (he is 83 years old) Your response is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Laura Mitchell