More on research programme to screen for panc cancer

July 27, 2004

Hello everyone,

A lot has happened to-day. Prof Neoptolemos e-mailed me to say I

could participate in the screening programme. Then one of the

surgeons on the panc team phoned me and we had a long converstaion

which, in itself, was very interesting. It appears that a Dr

Brentnall from Seattle has done some pioneering work in this area as

well, including taking brushings from the pancreas (during ERCP) to

try to identify changes indicating pre-malignancy, rather as happens

with cervical smear tests. She appears to have had some encouraging

success. She has also done some islet cell transplants AFTER the

operation which have also been successful. Anyway, I'm going to do a

search to find out about her work.

The doc was also interested in how my CP manifested itself from

childhood onwards and is even going to trace my mother's case, if

possible, to find out more. He is going to send me a recent paper on

childhood pancreatitis which he thinks I'll find useful.

Obviously a lot has happened in the last couple of years and things

are moving on.

I've now sent him all my info with permission to access my files.

He'll need my signature on the consent forms to go ahead. You can

pull out at any stage so I'll probably do so just as they are about

to start an ERCP!! I'm going to see this doc with Prof in clinic as

soon as I've had my EUS. Prof goes away in August so, hopefully,

this will be as soon as poss in Sept.

The downside is the ERCPs, of course. I DON'T want to have them!!

This is the only way to aspirate the pancreatic juices and take the

cell brushings. However, in view of my particular circumstances

(long-term HP) and high risks, I think it will probably be worth

being involved. I know it's all new, experimental and uncertain but

it could just mean earlier detection. The closer monitoring I get,

the better I like it.

I should be getting my EUS date tomorrow. Apparently the doc who

ordered it said it could be part of their next training programme

but that isn't until November so it will probably be brought forward

now. I'd be very happy to have the specialist do my EUS while

training others in the techniques but it's probably better to get it

done sooner. Now, when it comes to the ERCP.......the more they're

showing off to trainees, the better!!!

Hope you are all having a reasonable day.

Fliss (UK)

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