Radio Frequency Ablation Please Share Experiences

On 4/29/2008 Harley4 wrote:

Hello Everyone,

My mother is a Stage IV Colon Cancer patient with mets to the liver and the lungs. She basically has two tumors both just under 2 cm on the liver on opposite ends. She has smaller tumors on her lungs. I believe 4 on the left lung and 1 on the right. Since her two last cat scans showed the tumors on the lungs to be stable and the two tumors on the liver growing very slightly, we are considering RFA for the two tumors on the liver. We had a consultation today and although the radiologist is willing to pursue this procedure despite the other activity on the lungs,he stressed that he is not sure if the procedure  will elongate her life. He told us there are risks involved, such as the possibility of infection, might end up deflating the lung by the tumor in the process and have to re-inflate it, etc.. The one tumor is close to the heart which makes it a little tricky also. I realize it is his job to tell us all the risks but the fact that he was willing to pursue this makes me feel that there must be some promise in it. I have read a little on line about the procedure and it sounds like a good weapon against these stubborn tumors especially since you can remain on your chemotherapy . If we can do something in addition to the chemo I feel that would be promising. My mother has been on chemo since Jan 07 and she has gone from Oxaliplatin to Irinotecan and I understand Erbitux will be next. I just am concerned that if we do nothing but chemo we will eventually run out of chemo options. If anyone has had this procedure and can share some info with me I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks very much,

Harley4

Dear Harley:

I want to share my experience with RFA.  I was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer in 2006 and since I also suffer from COPD, the surgeon opted not to operate.  The cancer was in the lower right lobe and the doctor suggested RFA as being a fairly new procedure on "small" tumors.  I saw an interventional radiologist at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, AZ and had the procedure there.  Since my cancer was against the rib, he had to insert the needle through my back with the aid of a CT.  He destroyed the cancer and as of now, May 2008, I am cancer free.  The one problem was my lung did collapse and I had to have a chest tube inserted and was in the hospital for 8 days.  It was not terribly painful, and I went shopping with my daughter 2 days after I check out of the hospital.

I would read all you can about this procedure and I would also encourage your mother to have it done if possible.  I know that the RFA saved my life and I will be eternally grateful to the work of my radiologist.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help.

Shirley Gorman

Dear Harley4,

RF ablation sound like a good deal. May I suggest that you strengthen her with high-dose vitamin C and other supplements. The aim is to help the body combat the cancer, especially the little bit not removed by chemo and RFA. My web site has details. Vitamins can be used along with chemo and vitamins make most chemo therapies more effective with fewer side effects.  

Contact me is you want more info.

rhoustonc

www.cancertherapies.org 

On 4/29/2008 Harley4 wrote:

Hello Everyone,

My mother is a Stage IV Colon Cancer patient with mets to the liver and the lungs. She basically has two tumors both just under 2 cm on the liver on opposite ends. She has smaller tumors on her lungs. I believe 4 on the left lung and 1 on the right. Since her two last cat scans showed the tumors on the lungs to be stable and the two tumors on the liver growing very slightly, we are considering RFA for the two tumors on the liver. We had a consultation today and although the radiologist is willing to pursue this procedure despite the other activity on the lungs,he stressed that he is not sure if the procedure  will elongate her life. He told us there are risks involved, such as the possibility of infection, might end up deflating the lung by the tumor in the process and have to re-inflate it, etc.. The one tumor is close to the heart which makes it a little tricky also. I realize it is his job to tell us all the risks but the fact that he was willing to pursue this makes me feel that there must be some promise in it. I have read a little on line about the procedure and it sounds like a good weapon against these stubborn tumors especially since you can remain on your chemotherapy . If we can do something in addition to the chemo I feel that would be promising. My mother has been on chemo since Jan 07 and she has gone from Oxaliplatin to Irinotecan and I understand Erbitux will be next. I just am concerned that if we do nothing but chemo we will eventually run out of chemo options. If anyone has had this procedure and can share some info with me I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks very much,

Harley4

I had basically the same condition except more in liver

and none in lungs receiving  "Folfiri treatment" which consist

of 5-FU, ironotecan and erbitux just returned from my

fifth treatment, took a scan of the area last Fri and

receved the results of the scan today, tumors have shrunk,

signs look good will review again in near future to verify.

Have faith don't give up, you have cancer, cancer dosen't

have you.

good luck

Hello Everyone,

I just want to say thank you to all of you that responding to my request to share your experiences with RFA. All your responses were very helpful and I shared them with my family members so we can together make a decision on what to do. There is always fear with any procedure and risk.It is our goal to help my mother with every possible avenue without causing her more discomfort or harm. After much discussion we have decided to go forward and the procedure has been scheduled for May 28th. She has to pass some pretesting first, however which will be done within the week before. I thank you all again for sharing your experiences and for your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,

Harley