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Hi, My Father Is 69 Years Old. He Is Recently
Question: Hi,
My father is 69 years old. He is recently got dignosed with lump in his bile duct which is causing complain of Jaundice and weigth loss.
He has recently undergone Angiography and doctor also implanted one metal stunt to resolve the issue.
Doctors have further prescribed for a major & complex operation which is called Whipple process and involves surgery of many nearby
My father is 69 years old. He is recently got dignosed with lump in his bile duct which is causing complain of Jaundice and weigth loss.
He has recently undergone Angiography and doctor also implanted one metal stunt to resolve the issue.
Doctors have further prescribed for a major & complex operation which is called Whipple process and involves surgery of many nearby
Brief Answer:
I understand your concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
From the reports and your excellent summary of your father's history, it appears that the doctor suspects that he has a cancer in the bile duct, which obstructed the flow of bile. Therefore, he inserted a stent to restore the flow.
I cannot see that you have any specific questions, but in general, what follows is a histological examination of tissue biopsies obtained from the angiography (which most likely is a endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, but that is merely technical) to see if it in fact is a cancer. If the cancer is localized, i.e. without metastasis and if it is tehnically possible to remove the entire tumor, a Whipple procedure is the most common. It is an extensive procedure which envolves excision of the head of the pancreas, some small bowel and bile ducts, and then a rearrangement of bowel anatomy.
Please let me know, if you have any specific concerns or questions.
Best wishes.
I understand your concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
From the reports and your excellent summary of your father's history, it appears that the doctor suspects that he has a cancer in the bile duct, which obstructed the flow of bile. Therefore, he inserted a stent to restore the flow.
I cannot see that you have any specific questions, but in general, what follows is a histological examination of tissue biopsies obtained from the angiography (which most likely is a endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, but that is merely technical) to see if it in fact is a cancer. If the cancer is localized, i.e. without metastasis and if it is tehnically possible to remove the entire tumor, a Whipple procedure is the most common. It is an extensive procedure which envolves excision of the head of the pancreas, some small bowel and bile ducts, and then a rearrangement of bowel anatomy.
Please let me know, if you have any specific concerns or questions.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi Dr. Anders,
Thansk for your response and sorry i did not mention my queries properly.
So i have folloiwing queries:--
1.) Today i got confirmation from the Hospital where i treated my father that he has tumor of cancer only in his bile duct. Now Hospital is insiting for whipple operation procedure which is very complex and risky so should we go with that option..?
2.) Is it OK to remain with stunt he has put across the bile duct for removing the bile and do nothing so as to avoid the further complication or spreading of cells.
3.) Do you suggets any other treament for my father which may be simple to take and increase his life-span.
4.) My father is having diabetic, healing of wounds is so slow. I do not think that with the complex operation of Whipple process he would recover easily. So i do not want to go with that option.
Thansk for your response and sorry i did not mention my queries properly.
So i have folloiwing queries:--
1.) Today i got confirmation from the Hospital where i treated my father that he has tumor of cancer only in his bile duct. Now Hospital is insiting for whipple operation procedure which is very complex and risky so should we go with that option..?
2.) Is it OK to remain with stunt he has put across the bile duct for removing the bile and do nothing so as to avoid the further complication or spreading of cells.
3.) Do you suggets any other treament for my father which may be simple to take and increase his life-span.
4.) My father is having diabetic, healing of wounds is so slow. I do not think that with the complex operation of Whipple process he would recover easily. So i do not want to go with that option.
Brief Answer:
Very thoughtful questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXXXX
Those are very thoughtful and relevant questions.
It is very difficult to answer which treatment is best for your father, but the following should be considered:
A Whipple operation is extensive, complex, and with high risk of complications. The older and sicker the patient, the higher the risk of complications, including dying from the operation. On the other hand, the operation may cure him of his cancer. It must also be mentioned, that 5-year survival after the operation is around 25%.
If surgery is declined, chemotherapy may prolong your father's life. But chemotherapy is also associated with potential life-threatening complications, e.g. serious infections.
Altogether, the decision should be your father's - and you should talk about it openly and acknowledge that there are no guarantees, no matter what treatment (if any) you choose.
Best wishes.
Very thoughtful questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXXXX
Those are very thoughtful and relevant questions.
It is very difficult to answer which treatment is best for your father, but the following should be considered:
A Whipple operation is extensive, complex, and with high risk of complications. The older and sicker the patient, the higher the risk of complications, including dying from the operation. On the other hand, the operation may cure him of his cancer. It must also be mentioned, that 5-year survival after the operation is around 25%.
If surgery is declined, chemotherapy may prolong your father's life. But chemotherapy is also associated with potential life-threatening complications, e.g. serious infections.
Altogether, the decision should be your father's - and you should talk about it openly and acknowledge that there are no guarantees, no matter what treatment (if any) you choose.
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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