Dad diagnosed with CC, any advice on PET scans? so scared!!

Discussion Board Forums Introductions! Dad diagnosed with CC, any advice on PET scans? so scared!!

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  • #101383
    Tarheelll
    Spectator

    Hi Kellyrosie, I am so sorry you are going through this.

    My dad was diagnosed in early 2019. I think he may have had one PET scan at the outset but his current care team doesn’t use them- at MD Anderson. They have told us that the CT scan is the gold standard.

    I agree with Hannaha– getting a specialist you trust and getting genomic testing is key. My dad has been on the same targeted drug- Tibsovo- for just over 2 years. Don’t give up hope! And please do keep asking us questions here (or in the Facebook groups if you decide to join there).

    Take good care,
    Laura

     

    #101374
    bglass
    Moderator

    Hi Kellyrosie,

    Welcome to our community.  I am sorry your dad is battling cholangiocarcinoma, especially when your family has already suffered so much loss from illnesses.

    I hope the PET scan brought the good results hoped for, or if not, that a good treatment plan snaps into place for him.  Different types of scans reveal different features of the illness.  PET scans as you mentioned can be helpful in ruling out cancer spread.  If the cancer is present outside of the liver, surgery will likely not be effective and a systemic treatment such as chemotherapy may be a better choice to control the cancer.

    It sounds like your dad has found good medical support.  If it is not clear whether he can be a candidate for surgery, your dad may wish to seek a second surgical opinion from a major cancer center.  Please be sure your dad discusses genomic profiling with his doctors – this testing can identify which targeted treatments may be effective if certain mutations are found.  Please stay in touch and send any questions our way.

    Take care and regards, Mary

    #101370
    Hannaha
    Spectator

    Hi Kellierosie,

    I’m so sorry for all of the tragedies that your family has experienced.

    I am not sure that I can provide you with the specific reassurance that you want, but perhaps I can provide another path for hope. My mom was diagnosed more than three years ago with an approx. 10cm tumor on her liver. Despite initial optimism that she could be operated upon, they found evidence of satellite metastasis in nearby lymph nodes and cancelled her surgery. She went on to do 6 cycles of gem-cis chemo which she responded very well to, allowing her to go through a second major surgery early the following year with the hope that it might not return. The surgery was a huge success, although the cancer unfortunately did eventually return. But she has been able to maintain stability now for 18 months on a targeted therapy, Tibsovo, that works on some patients with the IDH1 mutation. There are a growing number of promising treatments for CCA, and there are more with each passing year. With any luck, your dad will be able to benefit from these treatments.

    I would make sure that the following things happen:

    1) It is crucial that your dad be seen by a specialist in CCA. Because it is a rare cancer, even many regional cancer centers may not have the needed expertise to be able to guide your dad’s treatment. There is a great list available on this website that will direct you to the nearest specialists. Reach out to them for a second opinion ASAP. Trust me. My mom’s local hospital basically sent her home and told her that her case was hopeless. It was not hopeless and neither is your dad’s diagnosis.

    2) Get your dad’s cancer tested to see what kinds of genetic mutations it may have. This will, hopefully, open up new treatment options for him.

    3) Don’t be afraid of chemotherapy. It is important to know that it is not an either/or choice: surgery or chemo. There are a number of studies now that show that many patients respond well to chemotherapy and are able to “convert” after a period of time to surgery. Again, it’s important that your dad have specialists looking over his case who can help to maximize the benefits of chemo with this possibility in mind. Also, if he does have surgery first, his doctors should definitely be talking to your family about doing an adjuvant chemotherapy after the surgery. CCA is, as you’re no doubt aware, an aggressive cancer and it is not usually enough to just have the surgery. There usually needs to be a “clean up” phase afterwards.

    4) Your dad may be feeling pretty hopeless right now. I remember my mom went through a really dark period after her diagnosis. As his treatment progresses, be it through surgery first or chemotherapy first, it is important that he gets up and moves around as much as he feels able. Take him on walks or join him for other forms of exercise if you can. Getting the blood moving and keeping him as physically fit as possible will be good for his mental state just as it will be important for getting him through what might be a tough treatment process.

    Please let us know how things are going and come back to us with any questions that arise-

    Hannah

    #101366
    Kellyrosie
    Spectator

    Hi everyone,

    Im 33 years old and already have lost my mum to cancer, and also my big brother to a stroke.

    My dad is now battling CC, he was only diagnosed a few weeks ago – he has had a CT, MRCP and an external drain bag fitted.

    He has a 3.8cm tumour on his third segment of the liver blocking a bile duct, they have said that if it hasnt spread they can operate but if it has it will be the standard chemo.

    As I am fairly young to have suffered the loss I have, the PET scan tomorrow is scaring the life out of me- on our last call with the doctor they said it doesnt look like its spread anywhere and his gallbladder and pancreas seems fine.

     

    My question is, have you had scans and then had a PET scan that showed spread? i’m hoping the majority haven’t – just looking for hope so i can get through the next few days as Im so so scared to lose him too and be parentless in my 30s

     

    x

    • This topic was modified 3 years ago by Kellyrosie.
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