My mother n law was first diagnosed with colon cancer in dec '07 she had tumor it was removed she underwent a series of chemo then they did a scan and found a large tumor on her pancreaus and a spot on her liver also this was in February. She is undergoing chem for the pancreatic cancer, gemzar. The dr discontiued the chemo for the c olon cancer because they sd that the pancreatic cancer was more aggressive. My concern is that this week they prescribed her morphine for her pain. And the Dr are giving confused messages about her recovery.

Here are some facts regarding pancreatic cancer:

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer typically have a poor prognosis partly because the cancer usually causes no symptoms early on, leading to locally advanced or metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 3 to 6 months; 5-year survival is much less than 5%[16] With 37,170 cases diagnosed in the United States in 2007, and 33,700 deaths, pancreatic cancer has the highest fatality rate of all cancers and is the fourth highest cancer killer in the United States among both men and women.[17] Although it accounts for only 2.5% of new cases , pancreatic cancer is responsible for 6% of cancer deaths each year.[18]

Pancreatic cancer occasionally may result in diabetes. Insulin production is hampered and it has been suggested that the cancer can also prompt the onset of diabetes and vice versa.

Her doctor is not telling you, or is afraid to, tell you how the pancreatic cancer is progressing. You must sit down with him and get the full story so you can make proper informed decisions regarding her care.

The fact that she is on morphine, which used to be a last resort for pain management, and is being more readily prescribed nowaday, I find at least, does not sound good. You are right to be cautious and inquisitive. Start asking that doctor questions, now.