NanoKnife

Thank you very much. Dave

Sorry I misunderstood.  I hope all goes well and he is able to have the treatment.. I have not heard of this treatment, is it for the liver?  what is it?  

Regorafenib is for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and is a multi-kinase inhibitor. It is an oral treatment, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. It has just been introduced here in Australia as an expanded access trial prior to funding. 

Hi:

Johns Hopkins has a nanoknife. Are they using it in open surgery? Interventional radiology? Which doctor? Any details would be of interest.

Thank you,

Joann

Hi:

The dead tumor/scar tissue after a nanoknife seems to be a puzzlement to radiologists looking at scans. For those who have something like this, did CA 19-9 rise again after the nanoknife?

My CA 19-9 has been steadily going up...but it isn't high. Just slightly above normal now (59). Nonetheless, each time they test it, it is a little higher.

The "re-escalating CA 19-9" and the "funny stuff" on PET/CT makes my oncologist nervous. He is not the nanoknife surgeon.

So, I'd like to know if anyone has "dead tumor" or "scar tissue" AND a rising CA 19-9.

Thanks,

Joann

Yes, JHH has the NanoKnife, but it is not in service to be used at this time.  We were told it has to be tested, approved, etc.

How frustrating!  We came to a world class hospital 9 months ago from NC to be treated for pancreas cancer.  The surgeon now says this is the window of opportunity to do the surgery and JHH does not have the instrument up and running, however they have spent millions and millions on the new hospital, but have not gotten through all the red tape to use the NanoKnife.  Now we must travel 10 hours away and find a place to stay during the surgery.  Don't get me wrong, if the surgery can be done successfully by Dr. Rob Martin in Louisville, wild horses couldn't keep me away.  I'm just disappointed in JHH at the moment.  Dave

On Aug 16, 2012 3:10 PM joanntd wrote:

Hi:

The dead tumor/scar tissue after a nanoknife seems to be a puzzlement to radiologists looking at scans. For those who have something like this, did CA 19-9 rise again after the nanoknife?

My CA 19-9 has been steadily going up...but it isn't high. Just slightly above normal now (59). Nonetheless, each time they test it, it is a little higher.

The "re-escalating CA 19-9" and the "funny stuff" on PET/CT makes my oncologist nervous. He is not the nanoknife surgeon.

So, I'd like to know if anyone has "dead tumor" or "scar tissue" AND a rising CA 19-9.

Thanks,

Joann

Hi.  My husband has the dead tumor or scar tissue on the CT scan, but his tumor makers have fallen to less than 3 from 2507!  I am trying to find out if after so much chemo a person can lose the Lewis antigen and thus the CA 19-9 becomes useless.  I read somewhere if the CA 19-9 is below 5, a patient doesn't have the right antigen for the test to be accurate. 

On Aug 16, 2012 3:32 PM SAMDAV wrote:

Yes, JHH has the NanoKnife, but it is not in service to be used at this time.  We were told it has to be tested, approved, etc.

How frustrating!  We came to a world class hospital 9 months ago from NC to be treated for pancreas cancer.  The surgeon now says this is the window of opportunity to do the surgery and JHH does not have the instrument up and running, however they have spent millions and millions on the new hospital, but have not gotten through all the red tape to use the NanoKnife.  Now we must travel 10 hours away and find a place to stay during the surgery.  Don't get me wrong, if the surgery can be done successfully by Dr. Rob Martin in Louisville, wild horses couldn't keep me away.  I'm just disappointed in JHH at the moment.  Dave

SAMDAV, A family member can stay at the University of Louisville Hospital with the patient.  The rooms are quite nice.  I personally had a room at the Residence Inn Downtown which is about a mile from the hospital.  The University of Louisville Hospital has a website with lodging options listed. 

Thanks for the information about lodging.  I must correct my previous message.  I have now found out that JHH does not have the NanoKnife, it will not be available to JHH for 6 to 8 weeks.  They are in the PROCESS of purchasing it. 

There was a break down in communication between the doctors and I was led to believe it was already at JHH.

However, I trust my JHH surgeon and am working to make an appointment with Dr. Martin in Louisville, KY.  I am told I have a one month window to have the surgery done because I have stopped taking chemo.  I have to be off chemo for at least a few weeks before having surgery.  So far, Dr. Martin's nurse has been very professional and kind.  I have sent Dr. Martin all of my records and scans and am waiting  for the appointment.

Hi joanntd

My husbands CA 19-9 was elevated and the Nano doctor says it's normal