Complex Surgery Helps Woman Beat Pancreatic Cancer
The dramatic story could have been in one of Diana Bohentin's beloved books: In late 2004, the 75-year-old retiree and voracious reader felt nauseous after a fall and went to her local emergency room in Palos Heights. Tests revealed a shocking diagnosis--she had a tumor in her pancreas, a fish-shaped gland that lies behind the stomach. Doctors suspected it was cancer.
"My family was very upset," Diana says. "It was a complete surprise to all of us."
Her primary care doctor recommended that she go to the University of Chicago Medical Center, known for its surgical expertise in treating difficult cases of pancreatic cancer.
An Often Silent Cancer
Although some patients with pancreatic cancer experience warning signs such as abdominal pain and yellowing skin, Diana had none of these symptoms. In fact, many patients don't have any warning signs. This is just one of the factors that makes pancreatic cancer so difficult to diagnose and treat.
Surgery is often the first choice for treating pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, many people with pancreatic cancer are not candidates because the cancer may be too advanced. But Diana was fortunate to have caught the disease at an early stage.
Experience Counts with Pancreatic Cancer
Each year, doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center perform more than 100 surgeries for pancreatic cancer. Research shows that hospitals like the Medical Center with a high volume of such surgeries have a much lower mortality rate, compared with other hospitals.
Mitchell Posner, MD"Our current patient mortality rate is very low, between 1 percent and 2 percent," says Mitchell Posner, MD, chief of surgical oncology and Diana's surgeon. "This is lower than many other institutions." In addition, having an experienced surgeon perform the procedure can greatly reduce the risk of complications, research shows.
When Diana came to the University of Chicago Medical Center, Dr. Posner explained that she was a candidate for what is called the Whipple procedure, a type of surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. During the operation, doctors remove the "head" of the pancreas, but leave the "body and tail" of the gland so it can still make the hormone insulin and produce digestive juices. Doctors also remove the gallbladder, part of the stomach, a portion of the small intestine, and the bile duct.
"I really wasn't nervous after Dr. Posner explained the surgery to me, even though it was very involved. I just wanted to get the tumor out of there," Diana says.
She decided to have the surgery in December 2004. The five-and-a-half-hour surgery was extremely complex, but Diana recovered well, thanks to her family and the nurses at the Medical Center. "The nurses were fabulous. Although I had a little trepidation before I had my surgery, absolutely every part of my care at the hospital was A-No. 1 excellent," she says. Dr. Posner checked up on her while in the hospital, and Diana was able to return home after about a week. Most patients need to stay one to two weeks in the hospital.
Three Years without Cancer… and Going Strong
Diana Bohentin is enjoying life with family and friends after having surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. Diana did not need radiation or chemotherapy to treat her cancer. However, some patients who have the Whipple procedure will require radiation or chemotherapy as well. After her surgery, Diana returned to Dr. Posner's office for regular checkups. Because part of her pancreas was removed, Diana's body is not able to produce enough insulin to control her blood sugar. She has developed type 2 diabetes, which occurs in some of the patients who have the Whipple procedure. Fortunately, she is able to control it with lifestyle changes and oral medication. She also has to check her blood sugar several times a day.
Diana, now 78 and living in Oak Lawn, is grateful to Dr. Posner for giving her a chance at life--which includes more time with her five children and seven grandchildren. She's also able to enjoy reading and seeing movies with friends. "I wouldn't be able to do these things if it weren't for Dr. Posner and his expertise," she says. "I can't thank him enough."
