Hi,
I am a nurse and my mother in law was diagnosed with Stage IV "inoperable" stomach cancer (mets to liver 4 lesions, and nodes) in March 2007. She was diagnosed via endoscopy and CT scan showed mets to liver and nodes. She had a gastric stent placed and started with Irinotecan and Cisplatin and the tumor increased in size. She was switched to Avastin, Xeloda, Oxiliplatin, with great results. The tumors in her liver shrunk by almost 40% but then her neuropathy increased, she had severe Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (skin on feet were red and peeling) and platelets were <75,000 and the chemo regimen was cut gradually to 50%. The most recent CT showed tumor growth (one tumor increased by 2 cm). Her doc is now saying that he feels she should try a clinical trial. We asked him about liver directed chemo since the liver seems to be the worst area but they didn't feel she was a good canditate since she was Stage 4. Has anyone with Stage 4 had liver directed therapy? Also, we live in Maryland. Anyone know of a great oncologist in the state or nearby states that has experience with gastric cancer? It seems to be an Asian disease and it's hard to find someone with experience in our area. Any help or suggestions are welcome.