Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,37315,0.htm Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ There are many more ways to combat the liver tumors than systemic chemo, surgery, or clinical trials.  Have you checked out Y90, Sir Spheres, Therasperes, HAI pump, PHP, stereotactic radiation (cyberknife), external beam radiation, RFA, or chemoembolization?These are all proven and approved methods to treating liver tumors.  What worked for me (so far) is systemic chemo along with external beam radiation.  You need to be evaluated by an Interventional Radiologist to see what procedure you may be eligible for and which would work best for you. Kimby kimby2 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/19/2009 googie wrote:Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile. My husband is Stage IV to many mets in the liver for resection. Original tumor in colon never resected because it was not causing him any problems and chemo has seemed to taken care of it. He has regular colonoscopies. He was DX in Oct of 07 and that time given 24 to 36 months.He has done very well on chemo, side effects not bad and has been able to work. He has done 19 sessions of oxalplation with avastin, then 6 sessions of irionotecan with avastin. Clean scan so put on Xeloda for maintence. Came back in the liver bigger and more so back on oxal. with Avastin for 4 sessions. Cea kept raising so changed out to Irinotecan with Avastin. His cea is now dropping and just had ct scan that showed the liver tumors are again shrinking, good news!A friend of ours told us about a trail in Bellvue Washington where they are using light ( ? ) treatment on the liver? We not checked it out yet, but do know that you must be off chemo to be in the trial. Our oncologist said he would not stop chemo. He said that my husband is doing really well and he would be AGAINST stopping the chemo, but would support us with anything. At stage IV my husband is receiving pallative care so our friend says go for the trail. Easy for him to say,right! Not sure what to do. Oncologist still says that maybe he could be a canidate for resection in the future or direct therapy to the liver, but not there yet.Any ideas or suggestions?Googie Hi Googie,If we were in your shoes (which we are) we'd stick with what's working best at this time.  In your husband's case, like my husband's case (so far) it looks like the chemo is holding the tumours more or less in check.  If the chemo stops working, then maybe you should seriously consider clinical trials.  But knowledge is power.  You SHOULD know where the clinical trials are happening and to be prepared to make the move to participate in one.  This will mean a bit of "how?" pre-planning and a heartfelt "what are the pitfalls?"  talk between you and your husband.  Clinical Trials have saved or prolonged the life of many patients ... indeed, I'm sure some lucky folks were trial participants for good chemotherapies like Oxyplatian and Avastin, for example, and have benefited as a result.  On top of that, they were the brave ones to make the effort to ensure that these drugs are relatively well tested BEFORE they are accepted for widespread use in fighting CRC.  Check out these website below and as I said, be prepared.  Moving is oftentimes not easy as you think, and emotionally sometimes it's more beneficial and humane for the patient to remain at home and spend whatever time God has given them with their family and friends.  http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/colorectal http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/14075.cfm#Colorectal%20Cance http://www.clinicaltrialssearch.org/colon_cancer_clinical_tr http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=colorectal+cancerGood luck!Paula Jean   Paula777 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi Googie,If your husband is doing well and is stable on the chemo protocol his oncologist has him on, why change the plan if it is working??  As the old saying goes, don't fix it if it ain't broke!He can always try the trial if and when the chemo stops working.Good luck.Joan L Joan_l_3 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile. My husband is Stage IV to many mets in the liver for resection. Original tumor in colon never resected because it was not causing him any problems and chemo has seemed to taken care of it. He has regular colonoscopies. He was DX in Oct of 07 and that time given 24 to 36 months.He has done very well on chemo, side effects not bad and has been able to work. He has done 19 sessions of oxalplation with avastin, then 6 sessions of irionotecan with avastin. Clean scan so put on Xeloda for maintence. Came back in the liver bigger and more so back on oxal. with Avastin for 4 sessions. Cea kept raising so changed out to Irinotecan with Avastin. His cea is now dropping and just had ct scan that showed the liver tumors are again shrinking, good news!A friend of ours told us about a trail in Bellvue Washington where they are using light ( ? ) treatment on the liver? We not checked it out yet, but do know that you must be off chemo to be in the trial. Our oncologist said he would not stop chemo. He said that my husband is doing really well and he would be AGAINST stopping the chemo, but would support us with anything. At stage IV my husband is receiving pallative care so our friend says go for the trail. Easy for him to say,right! Not sure what to do. Oncologist still says that maybe he could be a canidate for resection in the future or direct therapy to the liver, but not there yet.Any ideas or suggestions?Googie  googie Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT