Steve, age 66, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma) in November 2001. He underwent surgery (a Whipple operation plus complete removal of the pancreas and spleen) at a hospital near home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Steve’s follow up treatment after surgery included a 6-week course of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. Steve recovered from therapy well, and was told that after 2 years of NED (no evidence of disease) the chances of his cancer returning were low.

But in June 2007, doctors found that the cancer had returned and metastasized to Steve’s lungs. When his doctor told him that the standard chemotherapy treatment offered an average life expectancy of 6 ½ months versus 6 months for no treatment, he recommended that Steve start looking for a clinical trial that could treat him.

“When my cancer returned, I felt very alone and overwhelmed,” Steve said. Trying to sift through descriptions of available clinical trials was daunting, and Steve felt that he received little guidance. He consulted with resources available through PanCAN, a patient advocacy organization for people with pancreatic cancer.  He finally contacted a doctor he knew an Arizona-based research institute focused on turning breakthroughs in genetic research into medical advances. This doctor led him to a clinical trial that was testing the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer combined with a drug approved to treat breast cancer.

“The trial was a godsend,” Steve said. Steve started receiving cycles of chemotherapy lasting 4 weeks each – once-weekly treatment for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. So far, he reports, the test results have all been positive, and there is the sense that the drugs are working. CT scans have indicated that tumors in his lungs may be getting a bit smaller, and his tumor marker count has gone down significantly. The main side effect of this study treatment is neuropathy, or numbness in the feet and hands, for which Steve is receiving appropriate supportive measures.

“My doctors and nurses are world class,” Steve said. “They are empathetic and understanding, and they will do whatever they can do to minimize my treatment side effects. One of the big advantages of being on a clinical trial is that you get the absolute best in medical care.

“Right now, my health is pretty good,” Steve added. “I have been able to travel with my wife. My medical team has been very accommodating and has modified my treatment schedule when needed to fit in with my travels. I do get tired easily, so I have to take the time to rest when I need it.”

Steve would advise other people with cancer who are interested in participating in a cancer clinical trial to learn all they can about the trial being conducted – including the successes and results the investigators have had so far, and the primary side effects participants are experiencing. “On a trial, you are a subject in an experiment,” Steve said. “You are participating in a trial not only for your own health, but also so other people with your disease will have a better chance of survival.”

Last Updated: March 31, 2009