Growth on pancreas

[Lushmetender]

Dad is nearly 75. He’s not been feeling right for a while but told he had growth on pancreas and awaiting further tests. Trying not to get too emosh until know what he’s dealing with but know pancreatic cancer is one of the worse. What can he expect from here. Needs to have a test to try and get a biopsy first. He didn’t ask any questions - not sure why he didn’t. They’ve given him a pancreatic supplement as the growth is causing him not to release the substances he needs to absorb essential nutrients. They also asked him questions like if he can take care of himself and if has wife etc. My DM has bad rheumatoid arthritis so he’ll need support herein in.

Sorry to read your dad is poorly. I hope it turns out not to be pancreatic cancer. My aunt had it at 72 - she lost a lot of weight and was diagnosed as diabetic before they eventually discovered what it was. She was told hers was incurable - they offered no treatment apart from palliative treatment.
She managed at home by herself for about 6 months with a daily visit from a nurse in the morning. She had oramorph and other painkillers. She lived in a flat with a lift so had no stairs to climb.Then she went into a hospice for the last 10 days. She died very peacefully.
However- that was in 2006 and things may have changed quite a lot since then.
I hope your dad gets better news.

Thx lulu. Sounds similar. Dad was told he was pre-diabetic so went on a health kick to lose weight but seems the weight loss has been on the easy side - 3 stone inn9 months. Biopsy on Wednesday. Growth is 4.7 x 4.7 cm in head of pancreas. Asking him questions if fit and healthy in case they need to operate. Hopefully have more answers by next week

My aunt was considered for a Whipple procedure but wasn't suitable. I hope your dad is suitable, it can make a big difference I think.

Dd had biopsy and will get results early December. Consultant said growth 4.2 x 3.7 cm and seemed a bit fluidy (hoping they have enough tissue to analyse). Growth has not advanced to vein or blocking bile duct. Is near lymphatic tissue .

Sadly my mum has taken q Ill as well with heart valve problems and may need open heart surgery and so is in hospital. All incredibly stressful particularly for him.

Very sorry Op- pancreatic cancer is a bastard of a cancer. My father was also diagnosed, at 65. He was told it was inoperable due to it being on the tail of the pancreas and some other issues. They only found the tumour after he suffered an internal bleed as the tumour was impacting/wrapping around other organs. If your DF has a small tumour on the head and it hasn’t spread I do hope he is a candidate for Whipple procedure. If not, there are other life prolonging treatments (think what my DF had is called nanoknife) and we had a couple very cherished years after diagnosis.