Anton Bilchik Helps You Prepare for Life after Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

Treatment including chemotherapy and radiation may remove or destroy pancreatic cancer cells and Anton Bilchik wants to help you prepare for life after treatment. He understands you will probably feel relieved after completing treatment, but that you may worry about your cancer coming back. Dr. Bilchik wants to assure you that this is normal for cancer survivors, especially for those individuals whose tumors never completely disappear. Here are some more things you should know about life after cancer treatment:

Follow-up Care

Your doctor will need to monitor your condition closely after you complete treatment, looking for signs of cancer or negative effects from treatment. These appointments are a good time to report any problems or changes in your condition. Ask your doctor how often you will need follow-up appointments and how long you can expect this care to last – you may need to see your doctor regularly for many years.

Nutrition

Pancreatic cancer and its treatment often cause loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness. Anton Bilchik MD recommends high-energy foods and supplements. In some cases, he may recommend pancreatic enzymes in pill form to help patients absorb nutrients from the food they eat. Sometimes Dr. Bilchik will recommend putting a feeding tube into the stomach to improve nutrition; this is usually a temporary measure.

Anton Bilchik recommends keeping copies of the medical records regarding your pancreatic cancer. These records will help your future doctors understand the nature of your cancer and its treatment. Talk with Dr. Bilchik about what to expect after your treatment for pancreatic cancer.