Patrick Swayze has Pancreatic Cancer** UPDATE** PS has passed away RIP

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ember said:
That's what they say...but who knows!

In my dad's case, it is suspected that his pancreatic cancer was caused by the treatment that they gave him to counter act his agent orange exposure in Vietnam. His smoking didn't help matters either.
After they had already treated all of those soldiers, later studies on the treatment they received showed that that treatment contributed majorly to pancreatic cancer in labratory mice.

There was no history of cancer in my family before that.
We are registered to receive money from the government should they ever admit to that....however, I won't be holding my breath for a check!

I'm sorry for your loss, believe09...I know your pain.

Thanks Autumn2004, for the address...and good to see you back!
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Oh my goodness, my dad's was from exposure to nuclear weapons in Europe before they had much of a handle on what it would do...his cancer was FIERCE and completely aberrant in nature...the fact that the stuff used to counter act agent orange caused cancer makes incredible sense...and off topic a little, I had an employee whose husband fought in the first Gulf war and developed numerous brain tumors and body tumors from what the vets were "not" exposed to while over there...he spent 4 years fighting to get VA benefits for his illness...went to Congress and testified et al...it is shameful in my opinion that ANY of our soldiers should be questioned about what is clearly the result of their military service....K, sorry to hijack the thread a little.
 
nanandjim said:
I found this information at the following link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_2X_Surgery.asp#C8


Does Surgery Cause Cancer to Spread?

In nearly all situations, surgery does not cause cancer to spread, but there are some important exceptions. Doctors who are experienced in taking biopsies of cancers and treating them with surgery are very careful to avoid these situations.

The chances of a needle biopsy causing a cancer to spread are extremely low. In the past, larger needles were used for biopsies, and the chance of spread was higher.

Most types of cancers can be safely sampled by an incisional biopsy, but there are a few exceptions, such as certain tumors in the eyes or in the testicles. For these types of cancer, doctors may treat without a biopsy or may recommend removing the entire tumor if it is likely to be cancerous. In some cases a needle biopsy can be safely used and if the tumor is found to be cancer it can be removed by surgery.

One common myth about cancer is that it will spread if it is exposed to air during surgery. Some people may believe this because they often feel worse after the operation than they did before. It is normal to feel this way when beginning to recover from any surgery. Cancer does not spread because it has been exposed to air. If you delay or refuse surgery because of this myth, then you may be harming yourself by passing up effective treatment.

The best chance of a cure from most types of cancer is to remove all of the cancer as soon as possible after diagnosis. If you have a solid tumor, sometimes surgery alone will provide a cure, but often chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or biologic therapy is also needed. Your health care team will discuss your best treatment options with you.

If you have any concerns about surgery and cancer spread, discuss this issue with the people who know your situation best--your surgeon and other members of your cancer care team.
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I think that this position will be changing soon simply because anecdotally, it is clear that something happens during surgery that causes many (but not all) cancers to ramp up. My recollection of the report I listened to on NPR, is that the tumor gives off a chemical that "charges" the cells surrounding it and sets the stage for them to convert to a cancerous cell. It is a cellular level "fight or flight" if that makes sense. So once the body is opened up and the cancerous cells are removed, the non cancerous cells are primed to take over at a more intense level because some of their own have been removed so the disease tries to make up the difference. I believe one of the reasons why the statin drugs are so effective in the chemotherapy stage is because they prevent the tumor from communicating with the surrounding cells while cutting off the supply of energy to the tumor...forgive me if I have stated this too simply and have missed an important process.

My dad was in a clinical trial for them before they were generally available. He received the highest dose at the time, and it proved to be a poisonous level, so he had to bow out of the trial much to his intense disappointment. At the time it was his best option to extend his life. From there he went on to radiation, which if you are familiar with the effects, he had his rebound at 6 weeks which caused his disease to power-up in a way that was amazing...ultimately that was the end. He was an incredibly tough man...sorry, I digress again! :rolleyes:
 
believe09 said:
...My dad was in a clinical trial...He was an incredibly tough man...sorry, I digress again! :rolleyes:
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believe09 :blowkiss: I understand your digressing. My father also died from cancer. He fought hard. He was in a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins. Sad, this cancer thing.

My understanding is that cancer is a virus which mutates. The chemo surrounds a particular group of cells (hence, different chemotherapy for different cancers). Cells die and new ones are "born." As the old cancerous cells die, they can't mutate because they are surrounded with the protective coating. The new cells are good ones without the cancer (virus).
 
I didn't know his SIL was an oncologist. I'm glad that he has someone like that in his life, to give him more devoted attention than a regular dr. can. I sure hope he pulls through or at least can buy significant time.
 
I feel so bad for him and his family. I'm glad he got to spend some quality time with his wife. He looks like the disease is taking it's toll. Bless his heart.
 
Those pictures hurt, that is for sure-the enemy of fighting cancer is weight loss-I hope each day holds more good for him and his family then bad...
 
Well, he is strong enough to attend a sporting event. So, that's good! He could have looked worse. His wife looks pretty bad, herself. I hope that he is able to beat this thing or at least keep it at bay for a long time!
 
I agree with everything you said Nan... At least he's at a sporting event making the best of things.. His wife does look tired, too... Praying for them :blowkiss:
 
interesting... the theory of surgery making cancer come back with a vengeance. isn't it possible that since surgery itself is a huge shock to the system, it causes a lapse in your immunity, which creates a window of opportunity for the cancer to bounce back?
i believe stress is the worst killer of all. and surgery is one of the most stressful things on the body...
 
I hope he pulls through it as well, he looks so tired.
 
This is sad..I was hoping he could beat it. Original story is from the National Enquirer so I don't know for sure how accurate it is but....

PATRICK SWAYZE'S CANCER SPREADS

New reports suggest the pancreatic cancer has spread to his liver...
According to the National Enquirer magazine, Patrick Swayze's pancreatic cancer has spread to his liver and he has started preparing himself for death.

More at link...


http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/464036-patrick-swayzes-cancer-spreads
 
wow, this is so sad. how do you prepare for your death? Sounds like he's so weak, it's a matter of a couple weeks from everything I've known about cancer experience. Wonder why they never had children? No legacy to leave behind. I hope the media gives them much privacy that everyone deserves during his last days.

http://www.overthelimit.info/entertainment/2008/11/30/patrick-swayze-the-fight-for-life/

in this article, it sounds more like a matter of days if Lisa has asked his brother to fly to Chicago to be with Patrick. Patrick isn't even at his own home, but was on location shooting a film. He really must have taken a fast down turn.
 
pamlet said:
According to an article in People he's not happy with the reporting that he's on his last legs saying goodbye.. Apparently he's been somewhat responding to the treatments even though pancreatic cancer is very aggressive.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20243724,00.html
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ty for posting this Pamlet - yes in the article, I agree - it's downright emotional cruelty when media reports stuff like this and he's NOT on his last legs so to speak. As if the tabloids are just rooting for his death to make money. Why is it always better to break the story than to just consider the impact on family & friends?
 
pamlet said:
According to an article in People he's not happy with the reporting that he's on his last legs saying goodbye.. Apparently he's been somewhat responding to the treatments even though pancreatic cancer is very aggressive.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20243724,00.html
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That's exactly why I said when I posted the article that it came from the National Enquirer and I didn't know how accurate it was. Maybe it is accurate and they just want their privacy so they are contesting the rumors. I hope the Enquirer story is wrong though. Whatever the case, it's horrible enough going through cancer privately with family and friends. I can't imagine how bad it is to be in the public eye and have to deal with all the rumors and innuendo, etc.
 
I think he has been a tiger fighting this disease...I hope this is just an unfounded rumor, but somehow I find it pretty credible....
 
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