Comments on: Detection of Bile Duct and Pancreatic Cancers Doubles With New Tests

By: mayoclinic

mayoclinic — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Denice, It is difficult to give more definitive advice without the benefit of an evaluation. I would recommend the Center for Liver Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Lewis

By: Denice M

Denice M — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:34:36 +0000

My mother has been ill for over a month with liver symptoms. Her bilirubin was at 15 when admitted to hospital. The stent procedure failed because her ducts were too constricted. Tubes were placed to drain the bilirubin. Her levels flexuate and have gone as high as 23 but not below 18. This has gone on for over 2 weeks now. Although the suspusion is bile duct cancer, no biopsy has been obtained. What other options do we have to reduce the bilirubin and get her to a stabile point where further testings can be done. Is there a physician or faciltiy that you would refer in Pittsburgh, PA to seek treatment from?

By: Joyce Groenke

Joyce Groenke — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:35:19 +0000

We have referred your question for a reply.

By: Linda Steadle-Foster

Linda Steadle-Foster — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:56:00 +0000

My husband who is a 43 YO caucasian who was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma 18-Apr-2011 at a small local hospital. At which point we were told the only option was palliative care/pain killers until the end. Since it took them approx. 1 wk to review the biopsy and determine what they were looking at I requested a referral to a larger institution. We went to Duke and UVA, both of which said chances of survival were slim but that he was a “poster child for chemo”. To this point all chemistry values are WNL. We re fighting with hematologic toxicity with the most dramatic effect being thrombocytopenia. Our first chemo regimen was GEM/CIS. He demonstrated either tumor bloom or disease progression with CA 19-9 tripling in 2 months. We have switched to FLUFOX and have stable disease for 4 months now. Our next scan is tomorrow. I know you can not diagnose or prognose via this page. Can you tell me if Mayo in Rochester offers other treatment regimens or if they will consult with our oncologist at UVA?

By: Gordon E. Wesner. Ph.D.

Gordon E. Wesner. Ph.D. — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:18:25 +0000

I found your information about the FISH test quite interesting. I was diagnosed with cholangio carcinoma at Mayo’s Rochester in October 2007 – subsequent successful modified Whipple Surgery there followed by chemo and radiation in Rockford, Illinois., Dr. Richard Nora, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. At 4.5 years have stable CA19-9 in range of 11-12. Regards to Drs. Clain, Silveira, Farnell and Clare Bender.

By: mayoclinic

mayoclinic — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:13:14 +0000

We have received your question and are checking into an answer.

By: Kelly Kim

Kelly Kim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:45:29 +0000

My mother at age 65 just got diagnosed for bile duct cancer. Mayo clinic for their subspecialty expertise in this cancer is what prompted to contact you, however we live in Los Angeles. We understand the time sensitivity of this rare disease and want to proceed with consultations and staging of it to begin treatments. Do you know of any physician or hospital institution of this expertise in Los Angeles or in California? Please help!

By: Anna Pak

Anna Pak — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:28:55 +0000

After CT scan, surgeon stated he was over 90 percent sure it is cholangiocarcinoma. We are scheduled for PET scan, biopsy of one of the areas, (they state they cannot reach the other). Also colonoscopy.
I was reading about your liver transplant program and would like more information about how patients qualify. We live in Cleveland Ohio, and I’m wondering is there a way I can send records to your dept prior to making an appointment.

By: Joyce Groenke

Joyce Groenke — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:42:32 +0000

Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If your uncle would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. The numbers can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientinfo/appointments.html

By: Sara ali

Sara ali — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:32:34 +0000

My unkle was just diagnosed with bile duct cancer(involved the RT and left hepatic duct)in the advance stage and not spreading to the adjacent organs.one week ago he get juondice and tube was applied to open the duct and they were able to open only 3mm and the color is better now. I Would like to know the treatment options for her condition in details for cases similar to her.
Thanks