Tumors shrinking.....or surgery?

Hooley
Hooley CSN Member Posts: 156
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Have been chemoing three years since bowel resection.  Only Eva had tumors in lung ...thank God.  They are shrinking now on erbitux smallest 20mm largest 45mm.   Just don't know if to say blow it let's rip them buggers outta lung or stay on chemo.   Decision pretty much mine they say.  Would love your advice????

Comments

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 CSN Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #2
    I have never had lung

    I have never had lung involvement but have had liver involvement 3 times and cut them out as soon as possible each time.

  • lp1964
    lp1964 CSN Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #3
    What all the veterans say...

    ...is cut them out. There must be an ideal time when the tumor shrinks to an ideal size. 

    Best of luck with your decision and everything will be fine.

    Laz

  • karguy
    karguy CSN Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #4
    The tumor

    The tumor on my liver was shrunk befor the surgery,so it was less to cut out,and possible to get it all.Get all the opinions you can before you make a final choice.Good luck.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 CSN Member Posts: 6,744 Member
    #5
    Decisions

    It's a hard decision to make, but if they can do it through surgery instead of chemo that's what I'd do.  Others should be giving you their experiences.  Good luck in whatever you decide.

    Kim

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl CSN Member Posts: 1,312 Member
    #6
    going for curative surgeries

    Generally, the view here is surgery any time you become elgible for it. Along with cimetidine and surpernutrition, for us anyway  :)

    Chemo has many limits. With aggressive surgery, my wife was all healed up in several weeks, does light immunochemo maintenance and supplements.  The standard treatment recommendation for her was heavy chemo for a while and then kaput, with the expectation sooner than later.  Physical removal eliminates chemo resistant foci.  

     

  • saussureainvolucrata
    saussureainvolucrata CSN Member Posts: 54
    #7
    i have no advice about which

    i have no advice about which option to choose, but i sure am happy for you that erbitux is shrinking the tumors! 

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria CSN Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #8
    Never had lung involvement

    but am a big fan of surgery, seeing as how I wouldn't be here without it.

    I would add cimetidine too, as it may help reduce the chance of further spread.

    I did that for my last surgery (of five), and it was, well...my last surgery!  Couple of years ago.

    Good luck and let us know what you decide, AA

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 CSN Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #9
    Cut.
    Chelsea

    Cut.

    Chelsea

  • Hooley
    Hooley CSN Member Posts: 156
    #10
    Thanks all

    For ur input.  Am leaning toward surgery.  Think they go through side cut then thru back. Don't know a lot about targeted laser therapy. Maybe my tumors too deep for that.  Even key hole would be great but position and sized would depend.   Will suss out

  • Hooley
    Hooley CSN Member Posts: 156
    #11
    Rise in CEA

    Jumped from 3.4 to 6.2 but have ecoli infection.   Onc says wait fir week to see new CEA. cos if he scanned now and lung mets are growing I can go back on erbitux !   Think lung surgery could be coming sooner tHan later.  What a catch 22 situation!!

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