Part of the problem with pancreatic cancer is that the surgery necessary to treat it (because it doesn’t respond well to chemo or radiotherapy) is so drastic.
The most common operation is a Whipple’s procedure. This operation itself carries a 3-10% mortality rate, is only suitable for early stage cancer in the fit and healthy and you’re left without a pancreas, duodenum and part of the stomach. Obviously, this then can cause problems with digesting and processing food, as well as diabetes and other complications.
The prognosis for this cancer is not good and the pain can be severe- some studies have shown that a significant proportion of pancreatic cancer patients commit suicide because of intractable pain, although modern palliative care techniques and treatments make this much less likely than in the bad old days.
Northern Piper- I’m sorry about your friend. Try to hold onto the good.