jessrose
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Penn did do a test to find out if I had a KRAS mutation though. I didn’t though and that’s why I was able to get the panitumumab.
Thanks for the messages Kris, Susie and Lainy.
As far as a tumor of origin test, I’m not familiar with that. The oncologist at my local hospital recommended some sort of RNA test, but I guess it was pretty controversial, not guaranteed that it would work and definitely not covered by insuance. I guess it’s sort of moot now though (and hopefully will continue to be).
Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate the concern. I’m a patient at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and they are my second opinion. My doctors are Giantonio (oncologist) and Drebin (surgeon – Chairman of the Department and did all his training at Hopkins).
I did have a biopsy and both (one from the local hospital and one from HUP) pathology reports only described it as “adenocarcinoma.” It seems like they basically have come to ICC by process of elimination. My mammogram, colonoscopy, endoscopy and every other test were all normal. My PET/CT scan in late December only “lit up” in the liver. This is why they want to do chemo first, because they aren’t 100% sure whether it is CC or liver mets with an unknown primary.
They are doing a phase II trial of the gemcitabine, irinotecan and panitumumab for advanced CC and have had very promising results so far. It may be a moot point if the insurance company doesn’t cover it though. I believe that Gem/Cis is the backup plan. Both my surgeon and my oncologist are in agreement that the chemo should go first and were optimistic about the chemo, so I feel pretty good about this plan.
