Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Case Study

Coping Strategies of Individuals with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

Fuellas, Francesca Ysabelle B.; Pulido, Joshua G.; Mangali, Glen R.
Tertiary Education Unit
La Salle College Antipolo
Corresponding author: [e-mail] – 0905-219-2260 Abstract
The purpose of this study is to have a brief and a thorough understanding about PNet, its psychological effects to individuals and their coping strategies. Furthermore, this case was administered to gain additional knowledge about the said disease. To date, the endocrine malignancies manifestation in the Filipino population has not been well documented. However, occurrence of different cancers is based on foreign literatures. It is important to establish our country’s cancer prevalence.

It is divided into groups: PNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or pancreatic islet cell tumors) and other NETs that arise from the gut. [11]

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or PNet, develop from the unusual growth of hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. [3] Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can be difficult to diagnose. [6] Survival rates depend upon tumor type, its location, size and many other factors. [5] These are rare neoplasms representing less than 5% of all pancreatic malignancies with an estimated incidence of 1 out of 100,000 cases. [7]
Pancreatic cancer is an extremely deadly disease and is responsible for over 220,000 deaths worldwide each year. One of its greatest risk factors is a positive family history. [9] It is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in Sweden. [8]
PNet is an uncommon cancer with about 1,000 new cases per year in the United States. The overall survival rate for 5 years is about 42%. [15] The incidence of pancreatic cancer is very high, with around 181,100 new cases diagnosed annually in the world. Among developed countries, the fifth leading cause of death from cancer is pancreatic cancer.

Lo and behold, a tumor was discovered in the ampula of his pancreas during a random CT scan. On the month of February 2015, at the age of 36, he was diagnosed with a rare case of pancreas cancer. It was pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor or PNet. It was the same cancer that took the life of Steve Jobs.

I. Family and social support

He was the breadwinner of the family wherein his family relies heavily from his financial support. When his family heard about the news, they were shocked at first. There were a lot of worries and concerns.

His family and friends’ love for him and for God, his faith, helped him through this battle. He is a part of Couples for Christ (CFC) family in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His faith kept him fighting. He surrendered everything to God. For with Him, victory is always at hand. He is just a vessel of God’s blessings by sharing his stories to different people. “Walang imposible kay Lord eh, diba?” It serves as an inspiration for everyone that with God nothing is impossible.

II. Coping Strategies

Upon knowing that he has pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, he savors every day that pass by. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, wala akong moment na palalampasin.” He is enjoying every minute of his life by doing things that he has never done