Proof_Eggplant_6213 t1_ixhl5zs wrote on November 23, 2022 at 2:37 PM

Reply to comment by Frogs4 in Wilko Johnson, Legendary Guitarist and Actor Who Played Ser Ilyn Payne in ‘Game of Thrones’, Dies at 75 by MarvelsGrantMan136

The cancer he had can definitely be a terminal cancer, it just has a better survival rate than the other type of pancreatic cancer. Around 60% 5 year survival, but his odds were likely less as his was stage 4 when they found it.

“ Johnson did not have the more common adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. It was later discovered that he had a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PanNET), a less aggressive and more treatable form of the disease.[40] Johnson underwent radical surgery to treat his illness, and the doctors were hopeful that his prognosis would be good.[41] At the Q Awards on 22 October 2014, Johnson accepted the "Icon Award" and announced that he was "cancer-free" having undergone "removal of his pancreas, spleen, part of his stomach, small and large intestines and the removal and reconstruction of blood vessels relating to the liver". Johnson said: "It was an 11-hour operation… This tumour weighed 3kg…”

So yeah, I’d say he was still pretty lucky.

bros402 t1_ixhndro wrote on November 23, 2022 at 2:53 PM

Ahh, he had the Steve Jobs pancreatic cancer.

Plastastic t1_ixhtl9w wrote on November 23, 2022 at 3:35 PM

Definitely chose a smarter way to go about it.

Hugh_Jampton t1_ixiarmc wrote on November 23, 2022 at 5:29 PM

Difficult to choose a dumber way than Jobs tbh

Frogs4 t1_ixisp8e wrote on November 23, 2022 at 7:26 PM

Thanks for the additional info.

redditravioli t1_ixjmj35 wrote on November 23, 2022 at 10:50 PM

Wait they can remove your pancreas?? I didn’t know it was an optional organ??

jmcgit t1_ixk5vfn wrote on November 24, 2022 at 1:21 AM

If absolutely necessary, but you're on insulin, a specific diet, and certain drugs for the rest of your life. It's not something you want to do unless it's life-saving.

Proof_Eggplant_6213 t1_ixl2rcy wrote on November 24, 2022 at 6:24 AM

Not really optional, no. You need it. You can survive for a while without it if you take insulin but it basically means eating nothing but pre-digested slurries for the rest of your life. It’s not fun, but it can be done to spare someone’s life. Or at least buy them time.