What happens if cancers do not shrink

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  1. Hi everybody, new to group.  My husband is 53 and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May, it has spread to liver and lymph nodes.
  2. he started chemo yesterday, folfirinix, 1 day at the hospital and 46 hours at home directly into his PICC line.  He is having 12 sessions.  Best outcome is the tumours shrink and can then be managed.  
    has anybody had the problem where the tumours hasn’t shrunk and what is next?
  3. I am hoping I can get him to eat something this week as he has had no appetite for a few months and has lost about 2.5 stone.  I have tried everything and sometimes he will have a complan.  I have told the hospital he doesn’t eat and they gave me some information of foods he could it but I can’t force it into him if he doesn’t want 
  • Hi and welcome to the online community

    I'm sorry to read that your husband has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I know what a difficult time this will be for you both.

    As I had a different type of cancer, and chemotherapy isn't used to treat it, I can't help with your question about what happens if the tumour doesn't shrink. Does your husband have a CNS (cancer nurse specialist) assigned to him? They are usually a mine of information and could probably help your husband with this question.

    Another alternative is to post your question in the ask a nurse section of the online community. Obviously they won't be able to be specific, as they don't have access to your husband's medical records, but they might be able to give you an idea of the options available. If this is something that you'd like to do clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.

    Eating problems can be a common problem when you have cancer and you might find it helpful to have a look through this information produced by Macmillan. 

    You might find it useful to join the carers only group which is a safe and supportive place to discuss your worries and where you could also ask others how they've dealt with any eating problems they encounter. If you'd like to do this just click on the link I've created and then join and post in the same way as you did here.

    It would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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  • Hello, Chelseabluegirl, I am sorry to hear that your husband has ben diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I couldn't put a % on it but in some cases the tumours do not shrink and the oncologist may then try another type of chemotherapy. Folfirinox can be very effective at shrinking tumours in some people.

    Not having an appetite is very common with most people who have PC. Try to offer small tempting snacks. But if he doesn't want to eat don't fret as it will upset you both. Is he using creon which is an ensyme that helps digestion?

    Also, if you haven't done so, have a look at the leaflets on the Pancreatic Cancer UK website. They also have a helpline with excellent nurses who are experts on PC. I think they will be able to answer some of your questions.

  • hi thank you for your kind words.  Nobody has mentioned crown and I will certainly look into it

    Hes now very jaundiced and in hospital whilst he has scans to see if he needs a stent, if so this will then delay his next chemo.

    it never rains but it pours! 

  • My husband won’t eat either was diagnosed in April has now los 7 stones he’s in same chemo as your husband but has been told it’s terminal in his liver too and I questioned is it possible the tumours can shrink to be told a definite No I’m still in shock and not coping as he’s just so ill I have tried every food possible to no avail good luck I hope you do better than we are doing xxx

  • My husband had a stent and recovered really quick   He also has creon it’s supposed to help enzyme absorption xx

  • sarahkeogh, i’ve found the answer to my own question, husband has been taken off chemo as the tumours have increased and multiplied  rapidly and he now has weeks to live.  

    Hospital was hoping to give him a stent yesterday to hopefully give him better quality but he needed 2 lots of blood and vitamin K so the procedure was cancelled.

    We also found out that one of his vertebrae has compressed, no wonder he has so much pain.  

    he still doesn’t eat, manages some rice crispies in the morning and maybe an ice cream later.  

    this is such a cruel disease, i can’t believe how quick it’s been, diagnosed in May and terminal in July.  he wants to come for the last part of his life, Plans being put in place to do that and i’ll have help from hospice and district nurses, it’s scary and i feel selfish for saying it, I’m not sure i can cope with him dying when it’s just him and me.  

    i want him home so he can be happy but i’m scared

  • Hello Chelseabluegirl, I am sorry to hear your news. This is, indeed, a horrible disease and can progress quickly. I understand how scared you are having your husband home. You will do well with help from the hospice and district nurses. Perhaps, Marie Curie nurses can help overnight. Don't worry about the not eating as I said before. If he is enjoying ice cream then that is great. Try to get him to take some water or juice that he enjoys. And, believe it or not, there will still be enjoyable times.

    Squeaky

  • That is so sad i really do feel for you, My Dad was diagnosed in May this year his is also spread and is terminal, he is about to start Chemo and both my sister and I wonder should he do it but we dont want to pressure him into anything, what an awful horrible illness this is, this is the first time i have actually posted on here as im just doing all the research that everyone else must have done, its not good is it 

  • Beatle 1966

    hi yes a horrible disease and I think why my husband?  He’s a very kind soul and has never hurt anybody in his life as I’m sure your dad is. He came home last night for a few days and with support from our local hospice and the district nurse we will be ok.  He had a stent fitted this week to relieve the jaundice but it didn’t go too well as they had to go in via his bowel.  We now have to wait a few days as the vowel was aggravated before they put in another stent.  

    it’s just taking things day by day now and I decided that hubby is in charge and he decides what next.

    Re chemo, I can’t comment there, he only managed 1 and then just prior to the second he got jaundice (unrelated) which prompted the CT scan that showed that chemo would not work.

    take care and i’ll be thinking if you, always reach out for a chat, i dont sleep a lot