Frogs4 t1_ixhjwv0 wrote on November 23, 2022 at 2:28 PM

Reply to comment by Proof_Eggplant_6213 in Wilko Johnson, Legendary Guitarist and Actor Who Played Ser Ilyn Payne in ‘Game of Thrones’, Dies at 75 by MarvelsGrantMan136

He was mis-diagnosed, so he was treated successfully for a non terminal cancer.

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

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.