Pancreatic cancer spread to liver, chemo not working

I'm new here and would like some advice if possible.

My ex husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2022. His tumour is around a main artery so cannot be removed surgically.

Fast forward to today and his scan results show that his cancer has spread to the liver. The Dctor told him chemo is no longer working and that his bone marrow is low and his platelets also, which have frequently been low on his blood tests.

The Doctor has told him there will be no treatment for six weeks and then they will try something else.

Has anyone any idea what they may try? We have three sons, our youngest is 14 and I'm worried that this may be it

Thankyou in advance for any information.

  • Hello Whitewitch73, 

    A very big welcome to our forum and thank you for coming here and sharing your story with us. I am so sorry to hear that your ex husband's pancreatic cancer is inoperable and it's so sad that his cancer has now spread to his liver and that the chemotherapy treatment is not working and his bone marrow and platelets are low. The feeling of powerlessness after such news must be great and I hope that while he is having a break from treatment, the specialists will have a think about what other options are now available to him and that they will come up with a new treatment plan. 

    We have information on our website on stage 4 pancreatic cancer as well as on treatment for pancreatic cancer and on controlling symptoms of advanced pancreatic cancer but your husband's medical team will be able to tell you more about what they might try now so don't hesitate to ask them questions when you next see them. It must be such an anxious time for you and your young boys and it can be hard to know how to talk to teenagers about their father's cancer; sometimes words fail us and we have helpful tips on our website on talking to children about cancer. 

    I just wanted to say that you are not alone and there are many other members of our community who find themselves or have been in a similar place and I hope that they will pop by and say hello and share their experience with you. I thought I would mention for example  's recent thread My wife has been newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that's spread to her liver - this member was looking to talk to someone with a similar story so don't hesitate to respond to his thread if you wish. It does help to connect and reach out to others who sadly find themselves in a similar boat. 

    Finally if you have any questions on anything, don't hesitate to give our cancer nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they will be happy to talk things through with you and give you helpful advice and suggestions. 

    We're thinking of you, your ex-husband and your boys during this difficult time and feel free to use the forum as much as you want to offload as I can imagine you sometimes need it at the moment. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator