cholangiocarcinoma

I have a friend that was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, this past month. She has lost at least 20 lbs. she is only 37 yrs old. She has been going to UC Davis for ultra sounds, I don't believe she has had any treatment. Because this cancer is rare, UC Davis wants to catalog the process with her. Her cancer is in the lower bile duct, and it is spiral, the doctors told her it is inoperatable. Please tell me if there is something we can do, or vitamins that can help. Should she seek treatment at another facility?

Thank you, Lady Monalisa

On 5/2/2009 lady monalisa wrote:

I have a friend that was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, this past month. She has lost at least 20 lbs. she is only 37 yrs old. She has been going to UC Davis for ultra sounds, I don't believe she has had any treatment. Because this cancer is rare, UC Davis wants to catalog the process with her. Her cancer is in the lower bile duct, and it is spiral, the doctors told her it is inoperatable. Please tell me if there is something we can do, or vitamins that can help. Should she seek treatment at another facility?

Thank you, Lady Monalisa

Good Morning Dear Lady Monalisa,

Your friend is very young to go to battle with this cancer. It's sounds like enough of the ultra-sounds and get down to business. Yes, it sounds like they are just doing test and more test. It also sounds like they know the problem, but do not want to commit to an action plan. Yes, this cancer is very rare, if they researched this cancer and gave it 1/4 of the attention of breast cancer, they would have been able to handle these cases with more positive results. Cataloging the process is nice, but that is not going to save your friends life. Inoperable...I have heard that before. Keep in mind, that comment is only by a doctor that may not want to attack the situation. My wife was diagnosed in 2003 with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, she was 53 at the time. It was in the hepatic Y up just under the liver. No doctor at John Muir Medical Center wanted to challenge the situation. They told us your best chance to live was to be cared for at UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco. Even at UCSF, there were doctor's that believed Karen would not survive and shyed away from the challenge. But thank God there was one doctor that met the challenge and saved Karen's life. Not saying there were no ups and downs, there are a lot of them and will be for a long time.

Vitamins are good, but in this case it's like hunting for bear with a BB gun. I would strongly suggest telling your friend to have her doctor at UC Davis refer her to UCSF Medical Center on Parnassus Avenue. In particular, your friend should set up an appointment with Doctor, Ryutaro Hirose. (415) 353-1061 - Dr. Hirose saved my wife's life. This man and the entire staff at the UCSF transplantation department are a step above others.

I have recommended others to Dr. Hirose in the past and he has met the challenge.

I hope all goes well...Leonard from Alamo California    

On 5/5/2009 Solutions wrote:

 

On 5/2/2009 lady monalisa wrote:

I have a friend that was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, this past month. She has lost at least 20 lbs. she is only 37 yrs old. She has been going to UC Davis for ultra sounds, I don't believe she has had any treatment. Because this cancer is rare, UC Davis wants to catalog the process with her. Her cancer is in the lower bile duct, and it is spiral, the doctors told her it is inoperatable. Please tell me if there is something we can do, or vitamins that can help. Should she seek treatment at another facility?

Thank you, Lady Monalisa

Good Morning Dear Lady Monalisa,

Your friend is very young to go to battle with this cancer. It's sounds like enough of the ultra-sounds and get down to business. Yes, it sounds like they are just doing test and more test. It also sounds like they know the problem, but do not want to commit to an action plan. Yes, this cancer is very rare, if they researched this cancer and gave it 1/4 of the attention of breast cancer, they would have been able to handle these cases with more positive results. Cataloging the process is nice, but that is not going to save your friends life. Inoperable...I have heard that before. Keep in mind, that comment is only by a doctor that may not want to attack the situation. My wife was diagnosed in 2003 with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, she was 53 at the time. It was in the hepatic Y up just under the liver. No doctor at John Muir Medical Center wanted to challenge the situation. They told us your best chance to live was to be cared for at UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco. Even at UCSF, there were doctor's that believed Karen would not survive and shyed away from the challenge. But thank God there was one doctor that met the challenge and saved Karen's life. Not saying there were no ups and downs, there are a lot of them and will be for a long time.

Vitamins are good, but in this case it's like hunting for bear with a BB gun. I would strongly suggest telling your friend to have her doctor at UC Davis refer her to UCSF Medical Center on Parnassus Avenue. In particular, your friend should set up an appointment with Doctor, Ryutaro Hirose. (415) 353-1061 - Dr. Hirose saved my wife's life. This man and the entire staff at the UCSF transplantation department are a step above others.

I have recommended others to Dr. Hirose in the past and he has met the challenge.

I hope all goes well...Leonard from Alamo California    

  

Dear Leonard,

Thank you for responding to my plea. My son is contacting my friend's husband to proceed with referring her to see Dr. Hirose. I pray Dr. Hirose will accept her as a patient. Your response has given us hope. My friend is willing to go where there is a glimmer of hope for her condition.

Lady Monalisa