Consult delay

Hello. I am seeking advice regarding my step dad. A suspected mass was found in the head of his pancreas at the beginning of April. The mass had caused him to become jaundice and they said they would need to operate to place a stent and take a biopsy of the mass, which they believed to be cancer after scans showed the size of it. 
The operation to place the stent was carried out 4 weeks after discovering the mass. The biopsy was inconclusive so another one was carried out 2 weeks later. With a confirmation of Cancer coming 4 days after the second biopsy, which was the first week of June. We’re now in the 2!; week of July and we still haven’t seen a cancer specialist. All the surgery’s have been done by the gastro department. No one from oncology has spoken to my step dad since the mass was discovered. An appointment was booked for tomorrow, but this has now been cancelled due to an infection in the stent.
We have had various consultants from Gastro and General surgery giving their opinion, one consultant from ICU was nice enough to tell my Step dad that he would be lucky if he had 12 months left. But nothing from oncology, not even an idea of what to expect. My Mum has been on a roller coaster of emotions and I would like to be able to give her some advice
How long should we expect to wait to actually see oncology? Is this kind of treatment and delay usual when it comes to pancreatic cancer? 

  • Hello, and thank you for posting.

    I am sorry to hear about what your stepfather is going through, but it is difficult for us to comment on someone's care as we are not part of their hospital team.

    It sounds like he would have seen oncology today, which is a month after his biopsy result, which is expected. But, if there is now an infection, it is not unusual that the appointment would have been cancelled. It would be good to find out when the new one is planned.

    If your mum has concerns about his care, I would suggest speaking to the PALS service at the hospital.

    We also have more information on cancer waiting times, if useful, on our website.

    Waiting to find out possible plans is difficult; uncertainty can be hard to manage. Maybe your mum could organise the appointment around when you are available, either in person or via the phone, so that you can support them and ask the questions needed.

    This information on supporting others might also help Mum at this time.

    Take care, and if you want to talk things through with the nurses on the helpline, the number is 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri, 9-5.

    Sarah.