mnm4242
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Also, what about externally draining the bile? I saw something about that on here. Maybe he could just do that once a week or something? Does anyone know about that?
Just found out this morning that it has metastasized to the lining of his stomach walls. He is not eligible for the transplant protocol.
WHAT NOW?! Does anyone know of something that can be done now?
mlepp0416 wrote:Marianne:I’m a bit amazed that your dad’s doctors feel a liver transplant would be an option but heck go for it! All Tom’s doctors said that they don’t transplant liver cancer as a general rule because liver’s are hard to come by and most often liver cancer returns even to a new liver. (I may have to do a lot more research on this!)
But, given Tom’s other issues, he would not likely be a candiate anyway as he has other underlying health issues such as diabetes, PAD and Coranary Artery disease, and has had a stroke and heart attack. (all that rules him out I feel)
Keep us posted on what your dad finds out at Mayo!
Go with God and KEEP KICKIN’ THAT cancer.
Margaret
Margaret,
That’s great that your husband’s billirubin is down. I hope he makes a full recovery.
You’re right that liver transplants are not standard procedure for inoperatable bile duct cancer. They stopped doing transplants for this a while back because it became clear that the cancer always comes back and attacks the new liver.
This is a little different though because it’s neoadjuvant therapy (chemoradiation) followed by a liver transplant and it’s only for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumors). It also cannot have began metastasizing yet otherwise it won’t work. The patient does have to be healthy otherwise to qualifiy for the transplant. It’s still in clinical trials. Here is the website for the current clinical trials going on in St. Louis Missouri under Dr. Chapman: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov use identifier# NCT00301379. But Mayo Clinics also do this same protocol. It was actually developed by the team at Mayoclinic Rochester MN under Dr. Gregory Gores and Dr. Charles Rosen. They have been having a 72% success rate. But keep in mind that 72% rate is the 5 year survivial rate at 5 years after transplant. Keep in mind also that some people do not qualify for transplant if it begins metastasizing prior to transplant. So that 72% is assuming the patient stays qualified up to transplant time.
I really hope that your husband recovers and I am sorry you are going through this. I wish nobody had to deal with this. It is horrible.
WOW! I didn’t expect so many replies so soon. This website really is a great support for this. Thank you everyone. My parents just arrived last night in Rochester Minnesota. He started having tests this morning and will have tests through Tuesday (not on the weekend though). He will see Dr. Gores on Wednesday. That’s going to be a BIG day and we will most likely find out if he’s qualified for the neoadjuvant therapy followed by liver transplant. I will keep you all updated. Thanks for caring and taking the time to read my post.
