Bile Duct Cancer, any good news out there?

My wife has cholangiocarcimona and I have been researching the subject. The problem with them is they come back. The three centers you should check out are M.D. Anderson in Houston, the Mayo Clinic and Washington University in St. Louis (Barnes Jewish Hospital). A new technique is being tried at Barnes Jewish Hospital (Dr. William C. Chapman) that is part of a clinical trial that started at the Mayo Clinic. It involves radiation and chemo followed by liver transplant. I know that sounds extreme but this cancer tends to come back and so some extreme treatments are the best answer. I am also researching Ambrotose. Mayo does transplants, Anderson does not but Anderson is the top research center on this disease.

I am so sorry to hear about your wife. My husband was diagnosed almost 4 years ago with MM (multiple myeloma) and we have a friend who started selling us the Ambrotose and other Mannatech product only to find out that they are under investigation here in Texas by the Attorney Generals office for false advertising there products are not approve by the FDA and some are even harmful to take. We spent almost $6,000 mainly on the Ambrosote and the catalyst products only to find out recently that all it is ground aloe vera and sugar so we stopped and are now just taking alot of supplements that the Myeloma foundation recommends. I just thaought I'd let you know because it's very expensive and it promises alot that it doesn't do and it surely hasn't cured my husbands cancer but it didn't do any damage except to our check book.

 Take care and I hope things go well for you and your family.

 Sincerely,

Shelia

After reading your article were you diagnoised with having bile duct cancer? How are you feeling since you posted this back in January? Is the tumor still shrinking? Are you still on the same regimented therapy? Do you mind me asking you how old you are?

Thank you, I wish you the best of luck. This information will be most helpful for my father who has been diagnoised with bile duct cancer.

                    Thank you
 

My wife has an unresectable Kaltskins's tumor that was declared inoperable and untransplantable at Sloan Kettering in November. Washington University in St. Louis (Dr. William Chapman) is doing a follow-up of a studty done at Mayo where they transplant after a complex chemo/radiation regimen. The problem with these tumors (cholangiocarcinoma) is they return after resection or transplant a high %-age of the time. Chemo alone is palliative. Nebraska and some other centers are participating in follow up data collection on thi s procedure. Qualifying is very difficult because they carefully screen for cancer spread. Go on the Clinical Trials websites and look for treatment options. The Lance Armstrong website (Live Strong) is a great resource for searching for cures. Don't quit. Have your doctor inquire of Barnes Jewish Hospitale/ Siteman Cancer Center at washington University. Dr. Chapman will talk to your doctor and see if you are a candidate.  Mayo is also a in the loop. MD Anderson does not do transplants so that is not  a place for a cure.

Wayne - Honolulu

My husband who is 37 years old.  was recently diagnosed with Bile Duct cancer.  He started with flu like symptoms in October and then after 1 1/2 weeks became jaundiced.  They thought that he had gall stones blocking his bile duct.  They put in a temporary stint and on November 13th he was diagnosed with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer.  On November 28th he had the Whipple surgery.  They were able to remove the tumor as well as 5 cm. of his intestine, 2/3 of his pancreas, his duodendum, gall bladder and bile duct.  They were able to leave all clear margins.  His cancer had not spread into the portal vein or the liver.  When the pathology report came back he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer not pancreatic.  Although, they say the prognosis is better no one can really say how better. Scott has been feeling great since the surgery and actually appeared healthy before having surgery.  He did not have any of the typical symptoms other than jaundice.   He will begin chemotherapy tommorow with Gemcitabine.  He will go for two months once a week for treatment and then switch to 6 weeks of radiation and a chemotherapy pill and then two months of Gemcitabine again.  We have kept a positive attitude during these last 4 months.  We have two sons, 9 and 12. 

How are things going for you?  Hopefully, all is going well.  We are hoping that good health and young age are on our side.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

On 1/24/2006 Eleni wrote:

Hi My partner has Cholangiocarcinoma (primary not established)13cm tumour in liver - treated with Avastin 5FU Cisplatin (last 14 months) shrunk 30% then Sirtex spheres direct into tumour-dietary changes No Fats, No Fries, No sugars, No Dairy, No Salts-hard for me as carer in the beginning but now easy to live this way-avoid labouring liver with bad diet-meditation daily-reduce stress-seek inner calm-also olive leaf extract, curcumin, milkthistle, pomegranite, all berries, for tumour reduction, angiogenisis, Now in clinical trial with Gemcitubine and similar Avastin drug on whole body...living longer than predicted-still far from in the clear though...change of living style great help-focus on low stress reduce fear by asking and seeking information-take care you all...in this together - Eleni

Dear eleni ,

            Great to hear that things are going well,

We are in Melbourne ,My sister also has recently  been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma  ,our options appear to be limited from our initial diagnoses, no treatments have commenced yet , we are sourcing dietry options as well as medical and would realy appreciate the advise from someone who has already gone down this road.

Would love to speak if possible?,