https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7017#M2884 This is my first entry as I have not long found out I have pancreatic cancer & so far it has been a hard journey. I had my first oncology visit yesterday & have found out my cancer is more advanced than I thought even though I have minimal in the way of symptoms, actually pain is still the only main symptom I have with a bit of fatigue & lack of interest in food plus so far the cancer has not spread to any other organs that we are aware of. Apparently a whipple is out of the question as the cancer is deep in the head of the pancreas & there are too many blood vessels to allow safe surgery. I am now going from public hospital/treatments system to private. I see my new oncologist tomorrow to discuss which type of chemotherapy I should have & my choices are the general chemo called Gemcitabine & a new one called Folfirinox which can only be used on certain patients as it has far stronger side effects than Gemcitabine however as it is a more agressive chemo it will give me a longer life extension. Plus I am hoping it will attack the cancer enough to reduce it to allow for surgery. Has anyone else had this type of chemo Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:53:21 GMT mazsa 2011-07-12T00:53:21Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7017#M2884 This is my first entry as I have not long found out I have pancreatic cancer & so far it has been a hard journey. I had my first oncology visit yesterday & have found out my cancer is more advanced than I thought even though I have minimal in the way of symptoms, actually pain is still the only main symptom I have with a bit of fatigue & lack of interest in food plus so far the cancer has not spread to any other organs that we are aware of. Apparently a whipple is out of the question as the cancer is deep in the head of the pancreas & there are too many blood vessels to allow safe surgery. I am now going from public hospital/treatments system to private. I see my new oncologist tomorrow to discuss which type of chemotherapy I should have & my choices are the general chemo called Gemcitabine & a new one called Folfirinox which can only be used on certain patients as it has far stronger side effects than Gemcitabine however as it is a more agressive chemo it will give me a longer life extension. Plus I am hoping it will attack the cancer enough to reduce it to allow for surgery. Has anyone else had this type of chemo Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:53:21 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7017#M2884 mazsa 2011-07-12T00:53:21Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7018#M2885 Hi I would like to suggest (if you haven't already) pay a visit to 2-3 surgeons before you decide to undergo a chemo treatment. I reckon you will be surprised to learn that specialists' opinions differ very much. Good luck. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:47:53 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7018#M2885 2011-07-12T07:47:53Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7019#M2886 Mazsa Sorry to read of youre predicament hope they can help you with this illness good luck kj Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:17:55 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7019#M2886 kj 2011-07-12T09:17:55Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7020#M2887 aisiebarb I went to read what you have posted on this topic however nothing comes up wonder why kj Thu, 14 Feb 2013 03:23:57 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Treatments-and-side-effects/Pancreatic-Cancer/m-p/7020#M2887 kj 2013-02-14T03:23:57Z