Help my brother

xman · October 2005

Reading this forum has been incredibly informative, and inspiring at times. My prayers and sympathy go to all those who are suffering and seeking solutions, and I would like to thank those many for providing moral support. I would also like to thank you for reading my story and appreciate very much you input, anything.....

My brother, who is now 41, lives in China and has been having stomach pain for over a month. He is also experiencing constipation, deformed stool. No stool blood, no blood in urine. Urine test was normal, blood test, liver test and ultrasound (liver, gall bladder and spleen) were all normal. Colonoscopy found mass 25 inches from anus. Biopsy pathology indicated transverse colon adenocarcinoma with abnormal growth III and localized malignancy. CT scan did not indicate any abnormality and barium enema found 1.2 inch x 1.2 inch mass in transverse colon. It was therefore diagnosed as early stage transverse colon cancer and operation was to be performed. During the operation (Sep-27-2005) diffusive metastasis was found, a tumor of the size of 3.2 inch by 3.6 inch was found behind jejunum. Additionally, two masses of lumps were found in pelvis. Small tumor lumps were found in mesentery and a 2 inch by 2.4 inch tumor was also found in transverse colon. No metastasis was observed in liver yet. Tumor-removal could not be carried out. They closed him up and a sample of the mass was taken out for biopsy, diagnosed as stomach wall metastatic adenocarcinoma.
We haven't told him that he is in late stage, trying not to devastate his spirit.
Recommended treatments from the doctor are as follows and due to start from October 10th:

5-FU/LV + Eloxatin or

5-FU/LV or

5-FU/LV + Oxaliplatin

Questions:

1. Where is the possible tumor source? (Is it really colorectal cancer, or the tumor could be originated from small intestine?)
2. If it is most likely colon cancer, what stage it possibly is (Stage III or IV, does the metastasis in the mesentery and pelvis qualify it for stage IV even it hasnt spead to liver and other distal organs)?

3. Is surgical removal of the tumor impossible at this stage?

4. What should be the best chemotherapy (5-FU/LV alone or 5-FU/LV + eloxatin(FolFox))?

5. Are there any new chemo agents (Avastin, Tarceva?) and how accessible they are here since they are not yet available in China and extremely expensive.

6. What are some of the common agents to battle possible infection from surgery and drugs that can help curtail the severe side-effects of chemotherapy that could be available.

7. What are the drugs that cant absolutely taken?

8. We are thinking about using some herb medicines as adjuvant treatment to help improve the patients resistance and recovery. Whats your opinion on that and when should we start it (during chemo, after chemo)? Best guess please.

9. Any clinical trials ongoing that we might be able to participate (Hongkong, for example)?

10. Any other known international institutes or organizations located in China or Hongkong that we might get help from?

StacyGleaso · October 2005

I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I am a 37 yr old stage 4 SURVIVOR. You will hear several stories of hope from others on this site that may change your entire perception of this disease. I will try my best to help you with the answers to your questions:

1. Where is the possible tumor source? (Is it really colorectal cancer, or the tumor could be originated from small intestine?)
I would bet to say (and I AM a betting person!) that the origin was colon cancer. I read once that the majority of cancers stem from the colon, and spread from there. I don't fully understand that explanation, either, however, I think in a way, it makes sense.

2. If it is most likely colon cancer, what stage it possibly is (Stage III or IV, does the metastasis in the mesentery and pelvis qualify it for stage IV even it hasnÂt spead to liver and other distal organs)?

It would classify as stage 4. Stage 4 means it spread from the original source to another major organ, or to several parts at once. Stage 4 does not equal death sentence, though, so take heart.

3. Is surgical removal of the tumor impossible at this stage?

In some cases, docs suggest chemo and/or radiation to shrink the tumor(s) in order to make surgery more successfuly. In that case, I suggest a port-a-cath which enables him to receive the chemo, and spare his veins.

4. What should be the best chemotherapy (5-FU/LV alone or 5-FU/LV + eloxatin(FolFox))?

I can only speak for myself when I say that I had 5 FU, Leuvorican (sp?), and camptosar. They worked well on me, and today I am cancerfree.

5. Are there any new chemo agents (Avastin, Tarceva?) and how accessible they are here since they are not yet available in China and extremely expensive.

I don't know enough about meds available in China to comment, as well as I don't know enough about those drugs in general.

6. What are some of the common agents to battle possible infection from surgery and drugs that can help curtail the severe side-effects of chemotherapy that could be available.

Campozine will be prescribed to combat nauseu that can be present with chemo. Have him drink tons of water prior and after chemo to rid the body of it. Remember, chemo attacks both good and bad cells, and you need to do what you can to have it leave the body quickly. Popsicles can aide in mouth sores, and lotions for cracked hands and feet. I didn't have any of those side effects, but many here did, and I remember them saying that worked. Additionally, nupogen shots were given to me to boost white blood counts.

7. What are the drugs that canÂt absolutely taken?

Have no idea, sorry.

8. We are thinking about using some herb medicines as adjuvant treatment to help improve the patientÂs resistance and recovery. WhatÂs your opinion on that and when should we start it (during chemo, after chemo)? Best guess please.

E-mail 2bhealed on this site, and she is the goddess of alternative meds. Additionally, scouty, on this site, also had great success with treating her tumors to a healthy diet, rather than chemo. Today, they BOTH are cancerfree.

9. Any clinical trials ongoing that we might be able to participate (Hongkong, for example)?

Sorry, don't know...I live in Indiana.

10. Any other known international institutes or organizations located in China or Hongkong that we might get help from?

Sorry, again. But I'll bet the American Cancer Society home page can work wonders of help for you in this search.

All of us here from caretakers, to current patients, to veterans all understand what you, your brother, and your family are going through. Stay strong. It's ok to cry, ok to lose it, but don't quit the fight. There are SO many success stories, and so many reasons to fight.

Keep us posted, hope I helped,

Stacy

xman · October 2005

Stacy:
Can't thank you enough for your timely and thorough answer. You have been an incredible resource and moral support. It was only until recently that I came to understand what kind of devastation it is to know either you or your family member has cancer. I am actually working in the pharmaceutical industry and a lot of my friends work in the cancer area (I am working on neurological disorders). This incident definitely brings another dimension to what I am doing daily.
As I tried to talk to some oncologists they said they couldn't give any opinion since the patient is not here in the States. So I am trying desparately to find alternative view and treatment plans.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best.

taraHK · October 2005

I am living in Hong Kong. I would be very happy to have you contact me directly so that I can let you know more about treatment options in Hong Kong. I have been very happy with the treatment I have received here. If you click to send me an email via this site, I'd be happy to then give you my phone number or direct email address.
Tara

taraHK · October 2005

taraHK said:
I am living in Hong Kong. I would be very happy to have you contact me directly so that I can let you know more about treatment options in Hong Kong. I have been very happy with the treatment I have received here. If you click to send me an email via this site, I'd be happy to then give you my phone number or direct email address.
Tara

click on the envelope icon at the bottom of my message to send me an email at this site

xman · October 2005

taraHK said:
click on the envelope icon at the bottom of my message to send me an email at this site

Just sent it. Thanks again and look forward to talking to you.
Richard

2bhealed · October 2005

Hi xman,

So sorry about your brother. Thanks for the emails. I will get to those later.....

On the heels of my own Stage 3 colon cancer dx, I first consulted a Naturopathic Doctor who started me on a regimen of mega vitamins and fine tuned the protocol that I had already started on my own from researching. But I was wanting a hands-on approach and ended up under the care of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. I remained in contact with the Naturopath but went to the TCM for weekly treatments of counseling, massage, lymphatic drainage, acupuncture and herbals. She also prescribed organic coffee enemas, Essiac Tea, and clay (I drank the clay to help bind to toxins and flush out). I did parasite cleanses (oh man the worms that came out....eeeew...we all have them), juiced, followed a macrobiotic diet (aside from the juicing) and practive yoga.

Everything I just described (aside from the juicing) has a more Oriental gentle approach to healing which I think your brother could find in China, yes?

I will tell you that my surgeon, who is from Thailand, was extremely interested in my Chinese Medicine use (his grandmother used it with him as a child).

My sister had her cancer in her small intestine. It was not removable either.

I recommend a book The Gerson Therapy which is very radical in diet but has much success inhealing cancer.

Ii cannot address any of your questions other than #8. I could not tell you the names of the Chinese herbals that I was given but I could give you the phone number of my TCM practitioner and you could consult (for a fee) with her over the phone. Or you could find someone in Chicago I am sure. Mine was in Minnesota. Maybe you could get some sort of list of herbals to send to your brother.

There are things he can do of course on his own. Diet is a great place to start. You can send away for Essiac Tea (the company is in Canada--beware of fakes).

I hope this helps in any way.

peace, emily

Help my brother

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