deciding on treatment for adenocarcinoma

Feel like going around in circles working out best treatment.  I have an adenocarcinoma which is between pancreas and small bowell.  Biopsy has confused oncologist as it says cells could be from pancreas or small bowel or confusingly large bowel.  It hasn't spread so could be a mistake in there as large bowel is no where near where biopsy was taken from.  Therefore  she agreed with us that we need a second opinion and as those who looked at biospy another call.  We were asking about radiotherapy with chemo but she said that if we had radiotherapy then surgery would be out of the question.  At the moment it is inoperable because it is wrapped around nerves and blood vessels.  In lots of pain and should be getting a patch next week - any ideas on best ones would be good.  She mentioned capecitabine what is this like?  .  The confusion for it taking so long to diagose is that I had an ulcer that perforated from taking anti imflamotry drugs.  Not sure if connected or not.  Would love to hear from anyone who is having as much trouble getting a diagnosis.  Any ideas of where to get second opinions from as well and how long they take. 

  • I do so feel for you, Tinkerbel!  My first operation for womb cancer, which I was told was a simple stage 1a turned out to be stage 2b which had invaded the cervix.  A couple of months later after CT and MRI. Scans they thought I may have peritoneal cancer.  Four weeks later they were certain I had it but didnt know where.  My local hospital said they could operate but the London hospital said no.  I refused any chemo or radiotherapy as I wasnt sure they knew what they were doing!  

    I do hope that you have more luck than me, please come back and let us know how you are doing, I would like you to keep in touch.

  • So are you looking at getting any other opinions?  Let me know how you get on as well.  Feel like you have to fight for everything and it takes so long.

  • Hi, Tinkerbel, when I refused chemo and radiotherapy they gave me hormone medication, and when I went for scan it had reduced the largest tumour by half.  I am under no illusions, I am incurable and nothing will change that. Would love a second opinion but wouldnt know where to srart.  Recently someone on here did though and was happy with the result.

  • Hi All

    Getting somewhere with second opinions - you can have as many as you want so I did some research and looked up top people for the area my cancer is in.  Went with these names to my oncologist last Thursday she sent them off on Monday to Addenbrookes, Royal Marsden and Guy's.  Addenbrookes has been over seeing my assessment.  I have rung up and bugged Addenbrookes today and have found out that they have recieved the request and have been told to ring the secretary tomorrow.  Will let you know how I get on.  May do the same with the others.  In the meantime I am down to start chemo in the next week going to be on oxaliplatin and cepecitabine but this could change if something else is recommended.  

    Thanks for getting back - it is really useful having this forum.  

  • Addenbrooke's 2nd opinion consultation was rubbish waited an hour got in room not consultant I was expecting and only spent 15 mins.  Also just read of the report from my oncologist so made no opinions and hadn't even looked at scans etc.