My father-in-law was diagnosed last Friday with Stage IV pancreatic ca
- and Gemzar is first-round chemo for that disease. Dr. Smiley (isn't it hell to have a family oncologist?) has given him about three months and started him on Gemzar last Friday. To make a long story short his tumor is unresectable and his CA19.9 is up over 2000 - normal is >40. They've found four secondary tumors in his abdomen and things look pretty grim. The guy was healthy as a horse three weeks ago.

Anyway, here's my question - currently my FIL is in the hospital with a pleural effusion; they drained about 1200cc of fluid out of his chest and the lab reports on the fluid aren't back yet. He seems to be having a tougher time with Gemzar than I remember reading.

Can those of you who've done Gemzar relate some of your experiences with the drug?

-Unfortunately, the gemzar is not kicking in immediately and that may be his biggest problem.

My experience with Gemzar was that is was a very easy chemo. I slept the day of treatment. My appetite was reduced, but present. I had increased fatigue in general, but nothing too noticeable.

- I can't answer your question re Gemzar but wonder if you had any info. re use of cyberknife and pancreatic cancer... If interested...here is what I found doing google search using wds: "pancreatic cancer" cyberknife