Radiofrequency Ablation & Radioactive Spheres

My sister posted just previously under "My Father". I am trying to get more information. As a recap, our father was diagnosed recently with liver cancer, specifically cholangiocarcinoma. It was discovered after he experienced extreme pain in his side, primarily while he inhales. These pain episodes come and go, although he never feels great. It appears that the cancer hasn't spread, although we never seem to get complete reassurance. They keep running tests. The cancer is unresectable and the main tumor is quite large (10 cm). We don't expect a miracle, but perhaps something could improve his quality of life and possibly extend it. He is having the tumor debulked with radiofrequency ablation and then he will have the radioactive spheres injected into his hepatic artery. I have heard excellent reports regarding the spheres. Have any of you had this done or do you know anyone that have had these procedures done? Have they proven effective?

I am worried since he has lost his appetite. He says that everything tastes strange. This has all come on so quickly - he is 64 years old, has been health conscious and has been at a healthy weight. The only thing I can think of as a contributing factor has been stress. Besides everyday work stress, our mother passed away almost 20 years ago from breast cancer and I think that has taken a toll on him. My sisters and I are so worried about him.

Any suggestions on alternative or conventional therapies would be wonderful. Specifically, have any therapies worked for any of you or anyone you know??? Have you known anyone that has used Haelan? There is so much information in the Internet, but we don't know who to trust.

Thank you for any help that you can provide.

hi, Firstly I just want to say that I am very sorry to hear about your Dad, this is very tough on all of you, seeing someone you love so much suffer.

I live in the UK, in July of this yr my dad was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma that had spread to his liver and the tumor was covering about 60% of the liver, the first op he had was unsuccessful, the surgeon said the tumor was too close to a major artery to remove and he gave him RFA. I strongly advise you against RFA - it made the tumor grow and push itself outside the liver, through the diaphragm and it stuck to one of the lungs it had also adhered itself to the bowel. I then got my dad to seek a second opinion and we were referred to PROF PETER LODGE based as St James Hospital LEEDS UK. He removed the tumor and now my dad has the chance that he could be cured, he does not even need chemo. So having been in such a bleak place (I was told my dad wouldn't see christmas) my dad is now well again and has recovered well from the op (he is 61). I urge you to seek a second opinion, i sent my dad's films all over the world, I am more then happy to provide Professor Lodge's details if you would like.

Good luck - and don't give up.

Jules

Thank you so much for your kind words of advice. Honestly, I don't think my Dad would travel out of the states. I have looked into Sloan-Ketterling previosly though and I'm wondering if you know if the surgeons there would be just as good as Professor Peter Lodge. It appears that it is an excellent hospital and it was rated as the #1 hospital in the U.S. for cancer. Unfortunately, my Dad is set on this surgery and we've been trying to get him in to a cancer center in our area for a second opinion (Moffitt), but as of yet they can't get him in until after his scheduled surgery on the 11th. We are still waiting to hear from one more doctor to see if he can squeeze him in. The other surgeon he is scheduled with is the first in Florida to do the radioactive sphere treatment and he does sound experienced, however, according to him the cancer is too large to remove. This is all so overwhelming. I think I'll try calling Sloan-Ketterling tomorrow and see if I can get him in there. In the meantime, could you send me Professor Lodge's details, just in the off case I could convice my Dad to send his films to the UK?

Thanks again and the best of luck to your Dad! I am so happy for you and your family!

Hi, I can understand if your dad is feeling lousy that he would not feel like travelling - my dad was the same, however in the early days we thought we would have to come to the states, we struggled to find anyone prepared to operate. we did consult Yuman Fong at Sloan Kettering who was dismissive - he said that the surgery was too risky and complicated. It wasn't until we went for a second opinion that we were referred to Prof Lodge. Prof Lodge has a reputation for taking on some of the cases that others consider inoperable, he has an aggressive technique to this type of cancer. It sounds to me as if things are moving too slowly for you - waiting to see drs etc.. you must stress the urgency of the situation - most of the people my dad consulted were prepared to see him the next day. You have nothing to lose by sending your dad's films to as many people as you can. I wish you all the best, i think i can speak for everyone on this site we are all fighting this together, my dad has a scan this month which is pretty frightening. I have found people on this site and others who have beaten this dreadful disease, there is hope out there.

Prof Peter L.
Leeds
ENGLAND

Hi Jules-

I read your message regarding Dr. Peter Lodge's successful surgery on your dad. I would very much like to get his contact information. My 37 year old brother has cholangiocarcinoma and they tried to remove the tumor back in September of 05 and were not able to because they said it was too close to an artery. He has been undergoing chemo and radiation and we have just now found out that the tumor is growing again and is closing off part of the small intestine. Thanks for any assistance!

hi, i am so sorry to hear about your brother. my dad had the op last oct and unfortuantly the cancer has returned in one of his lungs and the lymph nodes, he is due to start chemo on tuesday. Prof Lodge is based in the UK, he is fantastic - you can send him your brothers scans and he will give you an opinion..he didn't charge us for this. his details are on cholangiocarcinom.org - i was not able to post them here as the board supervisors kept deleting them (v frustrating).

best of luck - don't give up, i haven't. last year we were told my dad wouldn't see christmas - he goes to the gym,swims and has a great appetite, he is on holiday at the moment, the surgery gave him the best chance, it is very unfortunate that the cancer has come back so quickly, prof lodge does have patients 10 yrs post op still going strong, surgery is the only cure - (having said that my friends father only had chemo for pancreatic - 4 yrs ago he was given 3 months and is still going strong!)

patients are individuals - statistics don't allow for that..

keep strong, best wishes Jules

Hi Jules-

Thank you so much for responding and the encouragement...it goes along way in situations like these! I was not able to find Prof Lodge's contact info on the website you provided. If possible, would you please e-mail it to me directly at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---- I really, really would like to get my brother's slides to him for an opinion/review. Thanks so much!

Leigh