to think CAT scan results shouldn't take two weeks - pancreatic cancer.

[areyoumymother]

Just that, really. It's a very close family member. Almost a fortnight ago, an ultrasound showed a tumour in the pancreas. CAT scan has taken place but apparently it's a 2 week wait to get the results. Pain is building all the time.

AIBU to think my relative will now spend 2 extra weeks suffering unnecessarily and possibly miss out on the slim chance that something could have been done?

Do they have cancer for sure op?
The pain will drive her to the hospital, and they will probably admit her, then she will get adequate pain relief. (At least they did with my cousin. I don't live in the UK so may be different here) I hope it turns out to be something really curable! Keep your chin up!

My relative asked her GP to find out the CAT scan results. We didn't know he could do this. The tumour is in the body of the pancreas with a couple of lesions in the liver.

Does anyone know if they're likely to operate? Or will this be considered terminal?

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information, I can't say how much it's appreciated.

thanks for the tip about gp
thinking of you

Well the average survival for this cancer from diagnosis is very low. I'm partly basing on personal experience of a relative. The earlier it is caught the more treatable it is.

www.seenamagowitzfoundation.org/pancreatic-cancer-facts.html.

And pancreatica.org/faq/pancreatic-cancer-prognosis/

Also this website is probably the best if you are in the uk www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information-and-support

It may be operable. I want to warn you that the outlook is rarely good before you look at those links. I'm so sorry.

Thinking of you too, sansfairyanne

If pigscouldfly: Thank you, that's so thoughtful.

On a slightly better note my relative is currently at home with family not having any treatment and is having a reasonable quality of life for now. We don't know how long but in the meantime they are not in pain just tired and slightly weaker. So it can be managed.

Interesting to see the thread. My Mum had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which has spread to her liver. She's about to start chemo next week to try to shrink it although there's no chance of it being cured. You have my sympathy. It's shit.

I am so sorry to hear about your relative .

I have lost both of my parents to cancer - neither pancreatic, but cancer which had spread to the liver all the same.

It used to be the case that once a cancer had spread to the liver, it was considered untreatable. Things have improved a lot since then though - and continue to improve all of the time. In some circumstances they might operate or use chemotherapy, but it all depends on the exact scenario, stage of the disease and general health of the person otherwise.

My DM had a course of chemo after her bowel cancer was found to have spread to her liver & it worked really well at halting things for a while. Unfortunately though, when the tumour in the liver starting growing again she was deemed too weak generally to have further treatment.

All hope is not lost - modern treatments can be great for at least giving some more time, even if they are unable to cure.

areyoumymother

If you are able to, I really would make an appointment with your relative's GP and go with them if possible (in my own experience, my mum was not strong enough (physically or emotionally) to properly fight her own corner... .. explain the circumstances, that you're waiting for results and give details, and ask them to prescribe adequate pain relief.

Any ailment relating to the pancreas is agony, so there is no need for your relative to suffer during the wait for results...

Very good luck indeed xxxxxxxxxxxx

As said above, the two weeks is probably for the scan report and the MDT discussion, so you should have a definitive plan at the end of it. But I appreciate that every day must drag.

So sorry to hear of your relative's situation. I understand that this will be a very difficult time. If it help any, my beloved MIL died 2 years ago from pancreatic cancer. It is amazing how quickly it takes hold and spreads. As my MIL's cancer spread the more pain it caused and eventually she went into the GP ward where her symptoms and pain were controlled until she passed away peacefully and pain-free. The Drs and nurses in charge of her care were incredible and DH and I cannot thank them enough for the way they cared for MIL in her time there. They even asked us if we needed help with the funeral arrangements, which to me is above and beyond their call of duty.

It's a tough time waiting for the results, but it's even tougher not knowing if your relative has cancer, and if they have, how far has it spread. My thoughts are with you OP