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Colloid carcinoma is a rare form of pancreatic cancer in which the cancer cells float in large pools of mucus rather than forming glands in dense scar. It usually grows out of an intestinal-type IPMN in the main pancreatic duct, presents as a larger but lower-stage tumour, and has a clearly better outlook after surgery than ordinary pancreatic cancer. Below, week by week, is what OnCo's record of Colloid (mucinous non-cystic) carcinoma of the pancreas says about the first two months: the order is typical, the timing is yours to ask about. Sections appear only where the record has something to say. Orientation, not medical advice.
Staging tests establish exactly what and where the cancer is. Everything else follows from the answers.
Ask which of these were tested and what the results were; see the report reader for what each value means.
These specialties appear in the standard of care for this cancer. In most centres they meet weekly as a tumour board to agree each plan; you can ask when yours was discussed and what was decided.
A second opinion from a centre that treats many similar cases is normal, not rude; the standard of care tells you what to compare it against.
Each row is a setting from the standard of care, in the order it usually arises. Not all will apply to you; your stage and biomarkers decide which do. The guideline grade, where recorded, says how strong the evidence is.
Pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy with the IPMN, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy as for ductal adenocarcinoma; the remaining gland is kept under surveillance because IPMN is a field disease.
Treated as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: resection with adjuvant chemotherapy when removable, the chemotherapy rows of the parent page when not; the parent record carries the trials.
Generated from this cancer's standard of care, biomarkers and open problems. Take the group that matches where you are. To tick, add your own and print, open the one-page appointment sheet.
Much of what helps in the first weeks is free if you know to ask: testing, helplines, rides and lodging, second opinions, trial travel.
Every term links to the glossary.