I know a couple of surgeons refused to operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results when the cancer was shrunk to 1-2 centimeters. Even if there are metastatic sites and the metastasized cells grow, the original cancer would still be removed, we’d have fewer cancer cells overall. What is the reason that doctors don’t do it?
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Metastatic means it’s capable of moving around your body freely. So sure they can operate and remove that cancer tumor. But by this point a tonne of these cells will have migrated away from the tumor and will be starting fresh tumors elsewhere.
You’re better off keeping the main tumor to gauge how well chemotherapy is affecting that cancer as you can’t see how many cells have migrated nor where to. But if you can blitz a large group of those cells with the right chemical, you can get rid of all the other little ones too simultaneously
Metastatic means it’s capable of moving around your body freely. So sure they can operate and remove that cancer tumor. But by this point a tonne of these cells will have migrated away from the tumor and will be starting fresh tumors elsewhere.
You’re better off keeping the main tumor to gauge how well chemotherapy is affecting that cancer as you can’t see how many cells have migrated nor where to. But if you can blitz a large group of those cells with the right chemical, you can get rid of all the other little ones too simultaneously
If the cancer is metastatic, removing the original tumor may not help. The cancer has moved to other places, and can keep growing from there. If it has spread, there may be better treatment plans like intense chemo/radiation. Surgery is preferable if the cancer is contained or in a few accessible spots, but not that helpful when the cancer is all over the place. Better to know the situation so you can get the best care to the patient ASAP and not potentially weaken them with a useless surgery.
If the cancer is metastatic, removing the original tumor may not help. The cancer has moved to other places, and can keep growing from there. If it has spread, there may be better treatment plans like intense chemo/radiation. Surgery is preferable if the cancer is contained or in a few accessible spots, but not that helpful when the cancer is all over the place. Better to know the situation so you can get the best care to the patient ASAP and not potentially weaken them with a useless surgery.
If the cancer is metastatic, removing the original tumor may not help. The cancer has moved to other places, and can keep growing from there. If it has spread, there may be better treatment plans like intense chemo/radiation. Surgery is preferable if the cancer is contained or in a few accessible spots, but not that helpful when the cancer is all over the place. Better to know the situation so you can get the best care to the patient ASAP and not potentially weaken them with a useless surgery.
The reason that doctors don’t operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results is because the PET scan helps them to determine the extent of the cancer and the likelihood of successful treatment. The PET scan also helps to identify any metastatic sites that may be present, which could be missed in a physical exam or imaging. If metastatic sites are present, the surgeon may need to perform additional surgery to remove them, which could increase the risk of complications or even death. Additionally, a PET scan can help the surgeon to determine if the cancer is inoperable, and if so, to recommend alternative treatments.
The reason that doctors don’t operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results is because the PET scan helps them to determine the extent of the cancer and the likelihood of successful treatment. The PET scan also helps to identify any metastatic sites that may be present, which could be missed in a physical exam or imaging. If metastatic sites are present, the surgeon may need to perform additional surgery to remove them, which could increase the risk of complications or even death. Additionally, a PET scan can help the surgeon to determine if the cancer is inoperable, and if so, to recommend alternative treatments.
The reason that doctors don’t operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results is because the PET scan helps them to determine the extent of the cancer and the likelihood of successful treatment. The PET scan also helps to identify any metastatic sites that may be present, which could be missed in a physical exam or imaging. If metastatic sites are present, the surgeon may need to perform additional surgery to remove them, which could increase the risk of complications or even death. Additionally, a PET scan can help the surgeon to determine if the cancer is inoperable, and if so, to recommend alternative treatments.
The reason that doctors don’t operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results is because PET scans can help detect if the cancer has spread to other organs or tissues. This is important to know before starting surgery because it can help determine the extent of the surgery needed and the best approach to take. In addition, PET scans can also help detect if the cancer is responding to treatment and if there is a risk of recurrence.
The reason that doctors don’t operate on pancreatic cancer without PET results is because PET scans can help detect if the cancer has spread to other organs or tissues. This is important to know before starting surgery because it can help determine the extent of the surgery needed and the best approach to take. In addition, PET scans can also help detect if the cancer is responding to treatment and if there is a risk of recurrence.
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