jimgall
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I met w/ surgeon/ oncologist @ Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) yesterday. He discussed an implantable pump that injects high dose of chemo directly into the liver. Has anyone used this technique, know anything about it ? For me, he said it’s a future possibility & wants me to continue on my Gemzar / Xeloda regimen, since the CT scan showed some tumor death ( necrosis ) last time in center of tumor.
David,
sorry to hear of your disappointing turn of events…
I too had some disappointing news yesterday…. Oncologist indicated that last C-scan indicated no shrinkage on tumor despite the 3 weeks of radiation & into 3rd round of chemo. He did indicate that my CA-19 had come down to within normal range… anyone that can explain how tumor is still large ( 11 cm ) & yet this enzyme marker has dropped ?I know this an old posting, but thought I’d throw in my response anyways…. for my persistent, serious nausea the doctor prescribed Dexamethasone. It’s basically a steroid medication that must be used sparingly, but it seems to do the trick when I’m really in need + it does provide a bit of energy boost that seems to last a day or 2.
David Nice :
I find your progress encouraging… I too live in Rochester & am working with the staff @ Wilmot. I’ve undergone Tomotherapy already ( 15 straight days ) & just completed my 2nd round of Gemzar & Xeloda. I’m scheduled for a CT scan next week to determine if I’m resectable. My case sounds almost identical to yours..
11cm tumor on right lobe ( hopefully now shrunk ).I was recently diagnosed w/ cc back in late Nov,,, just during the holidays. Although I had been feeling fatigued, starting to experience night sweats, appetite loss… the diagnosis came as a complete shock ! I kept inquiring w/ my doctor about other possible explanations: pneumonia, viral infection, etc… just coincidentally had applied for a life insurance policy & the required blood test came back w/ alarming results. Then came the Ultrasound, CT / Pet-scan, biopsy, which ultimately confirmed cc. NO, not me, not at this time in my life ! I started w/ a round of Gemzar (very tolerable ) & am now currently going thru radiation ( Tomotherapy ) treatments. Tomorrow’s my last treatment & then it’s another CT scan to examine if there’s been any shrinkage. Initially, surgery was ruled out due to size, placement of the tumor ( almost completely covers right lobe & small extension toward the left ). In the event that surgery is still ruled out, would like to hear about other’s experiences w/ alternative treatments: Chemomemolization, Hepatic Perfusion Chemo, radioembolization. Also, has anyone explored the treatment that was profiled last week on ABC news: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CuttingEdge/story?id=6803208&page=1
You’ll be hearing from me again.
