Lung Mets...your experience/significance?

peterz54
peterz54 Member Posts: 341
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My wife (Stage IV) just finished a 12 treatment course of FOLFOX6 w/Avastin having been dx w/significant liver involvment (50% in both lobes). Current CT scan shows 7 small (< 5mm) nodules in lungs, 4 of which are new since February. The size change in the 3 existing nodules is 1 to 2 mm. She still has a significant tumor load in her liver, which is not operable.

Onc didn't seem to be too concerned with lungs. I take it it is because the liver and colon take clear presendence.

has anyone here had this situation and had therapy which worked to resolve any of the cancer?

Comments

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #2
    Lung Mets
    Hi Peter,
    When I was dx I also had the colon, liver, and lungs involved. The liver was the top concern and was treated first with FOLFOX and Avastin. I had resections of the liver and colon 6 months later and an HAI pump installed for the liver. I've stayed clear.
    We've been dealing with lung mets ever since with 3 operations (wedge resections) and 4 RFA's.

    I know we've discussed things before but I don't recall if HAI pump therapy was an option for your wife. I do know people who have had one put in prior to resections...
    -phil
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #3
    PhillieG said:

    Lung Mets
    Hi Peter,
    When I was dx I also had the colon, liver, and lungs involved. The liver was the top concern and was treated first with FOLFOX and Avastin. I had resections of the liver and colon 6 months later and an HAI pump installed for the liver. I've stayed clear.
    We've been dealing with lung mets ever since with 3 operations (wedge resections) and 4 RFA's.

    I know we've discussed things before but I don't recall if HAI pump therapy was an option for your wife. I do know people who have had one put in prior to resections...
    -phil

    Can you be a candidate for a
    Can you be a candidate for a liver transplant?
  • abackhou
    abackhou Member Posts: 77 Member
    #4
    Lucky Ones
    Peter, all the best for your wife. I had the same DX back in mid Apr 09, had colon resection in May 09, received the same treatment as your wife and tried Erbitux recently but to no avail. All tumours incl livers, kept under control until Nov 2011. Not a candidate for further surgery, My ONC also was not too worried about the lung mets at that time, he advised me further 'palliative ' chemo treatment but I decided enough, time is now precious and I did not want to die feeling unwell everyday. My mets disease has now progressed significantly, and I am enjoying my quality life. I am coming up to 42 months after DX.

    But lets be honest here everyone on this board who have Stage 4, treat their disease as they feel is the best for them and some have been around for a long time. With treatment this disease can be kept under control (Even NED) , for how long, depends on the individual and their circumstances. All my treatment has not resolved any of my cancer, just prolonged my life.

    Best wishes and prayers to all.

    Andrew
  • peterz54
    peterz54 Member Posts: 341
    #5
    PhillieG said:

    Lung Mets
    Hi Peter,
    When I was dx I also had the colon, liver, and lungs involved. The liver was the top concern and was treated first with FOLFOX and Avastin. I had resections of the liver and colon 6 months later and an HAI pump installed for the liver. I've stayed clear.
    We've been dealing with lung mets ever since with 3 operations (wedge resections) and 4 RFA's.

    I know we've discussed things before but I don't recall if HAI pump therapy was an option for your wife. I do know people who have had one put in prior to resections...
    -phil

    HAI
    Phil,
    The cancer center ONC addressed HAI last week. Said my wife was not a ggod candiate for several reasons, one of which was two lobe involvment. She started with about 50% liver as cancerous and even now the lastest scan, in comparison to baseline, only shows marginal shrinkage in liver and some decrease in metabolic activity. Looking back it seems most of the benifit from chemo occured with the first 3 or 4 treatments, and the remainder of the 12 treatments were just holding the cancer in check.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    peterz54 said:

    HAI
    Phil,
    The cancer center ONC addressed HAI last week. Said my wife was not a ggod candiate for several reasons, one of which was two lobe involvment. She started with about 50% liver as cancerous and even now the lastest scan, in comparison to baseline, only shows marginal shrinkage in liver and some decrease in metabolic activity. Looking back it seems most of the benifit from chemo occured with the first 3 or 4 treatments, and the remainder of the 12 treatments were just holding the cancer in check.

    Peter
    I wish I could offer another suggestion.
    -phil
  • peterz54
    peterz54 Member Posts: 341
    #7
    abackhou said:

    Lucky Ones
    Peter, all the best for your wife. I had the same DX back in mid Apr 09, had colon resection in May 09, received the same treatment as your wife and tried Erbitux recently but to no avail. All tumours incl livers, kept under control until Nov 2011. Not a candidate for further surgery, My ONC also was not too worried about the lung mets at that time, he advised me further 'palliative ' chemo treatment but I decided enough, time is now precious and I did not want to die feeling unwell everyday. My mets disease has now progressed significantly, and I am enjoying my quality life. I am coming up to 42 months after DX.

    But lets be honest here everyone on this board who have Stage 4, treat their disease as they feel is the best for them and some have been around for a long time. With treatment this disease can be kept under control (Even NED) , for how long, depends on the individual and their circumstances. All my treatment has not resolved any of my cancer, just prolonged my life.

    Best wishes and prayers to all.

    Andrew

    thanks Andrew
    I wish you well on the rest of your journey...

    peter
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #8
    peterz54 said:

    HAI
    Phil,
    The cancer center ONC addressed HAI last week. Said my wife was not a ggod candiate for several reasons, one of which was two lobe involvment. She started with about 50% liver as cancerous and even now the lastest scan, in comparison to baseline, only shows marginal shrinkage in liver and some decrease in metabolic activity. Looking back it seems most of the benifit from chemo occured with the first 3 or 4 treatments, and the remainder of the 12 treatments were just holding the cancer in check.

    Peter
    Peter,

    I don't mean to be argumentative but if the oncologist said HAI was not an option due to multiple lobes involved then that's a bunch of hooey. I have met more people than I have toes and fingers to count who had multiple lobe involvement and had benefit from HAI. Heck, I had multiple libe involvement and had a resection and then HAI. If you are truly interested in this therapy I would get a final word on it from the specialist herself at MSK. If she said HAI was not an option, only then would I believe it.

    Best wishes,
    Amy
  • peterz54
    peterz54 Member Posts: 341
    #9
    mom_2_3 said:

    Peter
    Peter,

    I don't mean to be argumentative but if the oncologist said HAI was not an option due to multiple lobes involved then that's a bunch of hooey. I have met more people than I have toes and fingers to count who had multiple lobe involvement and had benefit from HAI. Heck, I had multiple libe involvement and had a resection and then HAI. If you are truly interested in this therapy I would get a final word on it from the specialist herself at MSK. If she said HAI was not an option, only then would I believe it.

    Best wishes,
    Amy

    Thanks Amy
    I don't mind blunt input at all...the whole point, for me, with posting is to tap into the experience of others.. I will bring it up to our Onc again.

    peter

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