Treating Cholangiocarcinoma-Mayo Clinic
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Mystar…This is what I have learned:
The MODEL FOR END-STAGE LIVER DISEASE (MELD) is implemented in order to prioritize patients awaiting a liver transplant. It ranges from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill.) This scoring system determines the urgency of a transplant.
Lab values used in the MELD calculations:
1. Bilirubin measures how well the liver excretes bile
2. INR : measures the blood clotting ability of the liver
3. Cratinine: measusres kidney function. Why Creatinine? Often times kidney function is associated with severe liver disease.
The four MELD levels are:
Las time I posted I thought the miracle we were waiting for had arrived. We were told to come to Houston with a MELD of 37. We have been here over 2 months now. The hepatologist was so good at treating the liver problems that my husbands MELD score is again going downward. Does anyone know what the rules are for MELD scores for patients with liver cancer. I was told that the starting point is set at 22 and then increased every 3 mos. ????
When I first posted on this sight I was at my wits end. I was able to schedule my husband for an evaluation on Monday, Feb. 7th. at the Baylor University in Dallas. I thought a second listing would better his odds. Instead he was admitted to local hospital and by Wednesday the 9th, his MELD was up to 36. At that point Baylor doctors thought that with his unique challenges he would not likely be put on their list. Just when I was wondering what now, Methodist called and transferred him to Houston where he is now near the top of their list. Once he is stable, he will be discharged and we will stay in Houston. Talk about the craziness????
Mystar….seems as if you are working yourself through some of the craziness associated with the world of Cholangiocarcinoma. I suppose it comes with the territory forcing us to be prepared for just about anything. Good luck on referral. The one thing I have learned is to be consistently persistent. Seems that that is what you are doing also.
Best wishes and please, keep us posted.
MarionThank you Cathy and Marion for the Welcome, Yes, Marion the old coordinator was kind enough to confirm that the Meld score was 23 and update the “list” and cc the new coordinator. The thing that she couldn’t do was tell me that the CT Scans that were done on 12/08/10, would finally get reviewed at their weekly radiology session, but that I should go ahead with scheduling an appointment with the doctor for Jan. 31st. anyway since he only has clinic on Mondays and he would not be in at least 2 of the following 3 Mondays. Tell me this craziness is not normal. Today I requested that the local oncologist refer him to Baylor for a conference and to consider moving his listing if they would even accept him.
Mystar…..I would like to follow Cathy and welcome you to our site. Like you I wonder why the coordinator has not been in touch with you. One would assume for another person to step in during her absence. I would make some inquiries.
I am glad that you have found us and please, stay in touch.
All my best wishes,
MarionMystar- I am a cc survivor because of a liver transplant. I was in the care of Dr. William Chapman at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I was diagnosed July 31, 2008 and recieved my first transplant on May 24, 2009. I was put on the list on January 29, 2009. My MELD score only kept going up. My doctors had told me probably 4-5months for a liver and kept apologizing and reassuring me. that we would get one. I recieved 2 “fake liver calls” in that time. I was also B+ so that put me on another list. I was transplanted a second time on July 4, 2009 and a liver was found in 14 hours. (You can read my story at thetelegraph.com under christmas miracle.) I have had the most wonderful coordinator Pam Thurston since my diagnosis. MD Anderson is on the same page as the Mayo Clinic and Barnes. I am alive only because God put me in the hand of the most amazing hospital and Dr. Chapman and staff. Please feel free to e-mail me at jrdunnagan@gmail.com or call at 618-567-3247 if you would like to talk. Lots of prayers-Cathy (Pam called today to say my 6 month cat scan and MRI were good!)
My husband was diagnosed 04/23/08 and will complete 1 year on the transplant list at The Methodist Hospital in Houston next month. I am increasingly concerned that perhaps another center might be better suited given his current circumstances. His meld score fluctuates dramatically – last month he was at 21, last week he was at 16, and today he is at 23. He is also on coordinator #5, which I found out by accident and still have had no contact with because she is currently out.
Please don’t forget Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO. They just openned a new cutting edge transplant floor. One of the main reasons is they are considerd a “cholangiocarcinoma center”. They did both of my transplants and I will always be there number one fan. How do you ever say thank-you to someone who saved your life twice, I do by passing along my miracles because of them. Cathy
When my daughter and I were originally looking for treatment centers for my husband, we specifically tried Mayo in Phoenix and we got a good response from them. Good news!
That is amazing, Gavin. We have never thought of Mayo here in Phoenix as really treating CC to the extent Rochester and MD Anderson have. They were never known for that before. That is good news.
“Highlights from 2010 include:
* Mayo Clinic in Arizona is one of only a few medical centers in the U.S. to perform liver transplants as a way of treating a relatively rare bile duct cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma. The transplant procedure offers new hope and increased survival rates for patients with the disease.”
Sorry Cathy….I did not mean to offend you rather, I expressed my joy of your “survival” in a rather awkward way. Thanks for the correction. On to a long future and many more of your inspiring postings.
Best wishes,
MarionMarion I did not dodge this disease, I survived this disease. I lived and breathed this disease for 2 years I almost lost my battle with it twice. I can finally believe I have a hope for a future. I will always have to worry about not just reoccurence, but organ rejection. I am no longer in the “6-8 month category”, is the big difference. I have hope for a long future. Cathy
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