Question on Resection and Margins

My husband has the rigors infrequently but no one ever said what it was from and he hasn’t had them in about 2 weeks now. He may only have gotten it 2 times a week before. Incontrollable shaking and teeth chattering. So scary. This whole cc thing is a nightmare. My husband gets worse every week and worse pain added and you tell ALL the docs and they are clueless. I hope the surgeon appt next week is of help.

Hi Isisman and All,
No nodes involved but lacked clear margins. Did have chemo and radiation follow-up after a long recovery from surgery. And I had chills or rigors for many weeks after surgery. To the extent that my wife made up a bed for me in the living room to avoid stairs to the bedroom and put an electric blanket on it to help me deal with the rigors.

I am now experiencing rigors often as evidence of recurring infections due to duct issues. I usually end up in the hospital. We’re working on this…

Blessings, Grace and Peace to all,

bob

Hello Michael. I read several posts from those with clear margings.

In May 2004 I was diagnosed with CC with a 4.5cm tumor. I had a liver resection, 3/4ths of my liver was removed. The margins were clear, but only by millimeters. I had follow-up chemo (Xeloda pill form) and radiation for 6 weeks. Currently cancer-free at 6+ years.

Did the chemo and radiation help prevent my recurrence, I really don’t know. And it’s unfortunate CC, like all cancers, is never predictable.

I do hope the best for your dad as he continues with his treatments.

Dale

Hi Michael:
Welcome to the site that no one really wants to join. My husband Tom has CC and had a liver resection in June 2008. They removed 3/4’s of his liver and he did have clear margins. We questioned Chemo and were told that with clear margins, there was no reason for chemo.

Needless to say, 18 months later, he turned yellow and we were told that he had a new tumor, unresectable because of it’s location. He was given 6 months by the VA oncologist. We were told that Radiation and Chemo were not an option. We did not accept that and went for other opinoins. Needless to say, we insisted on Radiation and Chemo and found new doctors. So here we are now, 8 months later, the tumor is shrinking (He is on Xleoda) and has had 28 radiation treatments. (so the VA oncologist can take his 6 months and shove it) ohh, that is harsh isn’t it?

But it just goes to show that no one has an expiration date stamped on their butt! And if you are not getting answers or no hope from one doctor, then you need to run to the next doctor and find someone who knows about CC and someone who at least gives you hope!

You can read more about my husband on my posts (My husband and Cholangiocarcinoma) Yep, back in March of 2008, I had no clue what Cholangiocarcinoma was and did not even know how to spell it. But I have learned a lot about this cancer in the months since that fateful day, and the one thing that I have learned is to ask a lot of questions, keep thinking outside the box, do a lot of praying, stay strong and be confident! And even with clean margins, insist on Chemo. Tom’s doctors that he has now are saying that even with clean margins, he should have had chemo and he most likely would not be in the position that he is in today if he would have had chemo back in 2008 after his resection.

Go with God, prayers are coming your dad’s way from Wisconsin.

KEEP KICKIN’ THAT cancer.
Margaret

Pam….sudden chills have been discussed previously. They are called “rigors” and you may read up on some of the discussions by entering the word into the google search function, top of page. However, they differ from chills accompanied by a fever in that they come on suddenly only to disappear within a few minutes. It had been mentioned that nerve endings may respond to tumor invasion although, this finding has not been confirmed by a physician. I used to throw blankets on my husband and then simply wait it out. You are so right in that things move forward and then stand still. I guess this is why so many call the experience with this disease a “roller coaster ride.”
Good luck with the upcoming treatment.
All my best wishes,
Marion

Michael…..I am not a physician and can only pass on what I have learned so far. Microscopic involvement is synonymous with cancer involvement. The tissue contained cancer cells; whether one cell or a hundred cells it is considered to be cancerous. Is there a specific size designating cancerous cells to be classified a tumor? That I don’t know. We have seen, on this board, many resections without clear margins. The truth is that even those with clear margins may still harbor cancerous cells in their bodies. Now, will these cells continue to multiply? We don’t know that. The precautionary measure appears to be a follow-up treatment with either one or, both chemotherapy and radiation. Your Dad will now be watched closely by the means of regular blood tests and regular scans. And, of course, he will have to make sure to report to the physician any change in his well being. Should there ever be and any sign of an emerging recurrence then it will be addressed. For now I take pleasure in knowing that his blood test looks great, your Dad has recovered and future scans are scheduled. I am happy for all of you. Congratulations. Michael, I hope this helped.

Best wishes for continuous great reports,
Marion