…the treatment and the cure…

As the information became clear, I understood that I was facing a 2.5 x 2 cm tumor which had not interfered with my pancreatic functioning but was pressing on my bile duct and, unfortunately, wrapped about 180 degrees around one of the major arteries that pass through the region. As my case was presented to the cancer board, Dr. Marc Pipas spoke up and indicated that he would like to take the case. It seems that, as an oncologist, Dr. Pipas has done experiments with both a different order of treatment and a different process of treatment.

Traditionally, surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible and then the patient is treated with radiation and chemotherapy in the hope of eradicating what is left. At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center they reverse the process. They provide treatment first and then remove what is left of the tumor, having found that this reversal provides a much greater chance of long-term survival and the possibility of cure. To this process Dr. Pipas has added research on the use of Erbitux to enhance the treatment process.

Beginning at the end of October, I underwent six weeks of daily radiation with twice-a-week chemotherapy and once-a-week treatment with Erbitux. Because of the tricky location of my tumor it was considered “borderline dissectable” when we began so this treatment was designed to shrink the tumor, making chances of removal far greater.

I made all the treatment sessions and on January 29th underwent the whipple. Following surgery I was told that the pathology report showed that the tumor was 90% destroyed via the treatment and that it had shrunk to the point where it was able to be removed entirely and intact. Tests prior to and during the surgery showed there was no spread of cancer cells anywhere else in my body. At my follow-up with Dr. Pipas he said, “I don’t need to treat you anymore. We got the disease out. I can’t tell you that you’ll never get cancer again, but I can tell you it won’t be this cancer.” (!)

I’ve still got the standard five years of quarterly cancer-screenings ahead of me, but as of now I can say with confidence that I’m cancer-free. I’m cured!