Cholangiocarcinoma & Vietnam Veterans.

Hello,

My husband was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in June, 2008.  This is his fourth cancer, ALL of which I believe are service related.  He served in Vietnam in 1966-67. 

He has been denied benefits from the VA, but we thought his cancers were from exposure to Agent Orange, and probably partly are, but as we ALL know, the VA is denying that there ever was a problem there!

In January, 2006, he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer.  Surgery was performed, and honestly we thought we had Beat It!  But early this year, the symptoms that many of you have described popped up! 

So, as a VERY angry wife of a man that deserves better than this, I would like to invite any and all who are interested, to spread the word that this KILLER is out there. 

We are going to appeal the VA's last decision, he wants me to have the "widow benefits"!  I've heard that there have been several rulings stating cholangiocarcinoma as "service related".

SO, I appeal to all of you....LET'S DO SOMETHING!!!  These are our husbands, brothers, fathers.......THEY DESERVE THE HONOR THEY NEVER RECEIVED WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME!!!!

My dad died last November at the age of 62.  He served in Korea during Vietnam War (around 1966 to 68).  He was NEVER sick.  Had a pain in Dec. 2006 - dr thought gallstones, and pathology resulted in cholangiocarcinoma.  We got him into SLoan Kettering, he had a resection with clear margins but by July his counts were crazy and he declined rapidly. 

After much research, I have little doubt that this is caused from the C. Sinesis parasite which is so prevalent in Vietnam and Korea.  My mom has filed a claim which has been declined and is in appeal.  I know that there are people that get approved.  It's very difficult to prove this because there is no "proof".  The parasite is long gone by the time there are major symptoms.  There is probably a big increase among vets these days as this cancer hits people in their 50s-70s. 

 We are currently working with a Florida congressman to try to get somewhere.  I am back to researching but would welcome anyone's suggestions. 

Thanks.  KM

On 1/30/2008 MarineDoc wrote:

Greeting all:

I received an email from a Vietnam Vet that reports that a post to the Vietnam Veterans of America has a post regarding a VN Vet who was recently diagnoised with Cholangiocarcinoma from a parasitic infection he contracted while in Vietnam Link to site:

 http://www.vva.org/veteran/0807/letters.html

Has anyone else heard of cases being diagnosed in Vietnam Vets caused by a parasite infection? 

Thanks, and I wish all well.

Doc 

After losing my brother suddenly, four years in July, our family is still in shock but eager to learn of any additional studies that are being conducted to associate, Gulf War 1 and time in Okanowa, during the Vietnam War..with colangiocarcinoma.

He a retired Marine Col., served in Okanowa during the Vietnam War, but was off base on plenty of missions during this time.

If there is any new info or additional studies being considered with connection to this deadly disease ..I would greatly appreciate the link.

We reamain hopeful for some level of understanding.

MTM