TIMELINE FOR CHEMOTHERAPY AFTER COLON AND LIVER RESECTION

atlanticcanada
atlanticcanada Member Posts: 74
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My daughter had colon resection August 13th , then liver resection Oct 17 th .
all went well, now she wants a vacation, is 7 weeks after liver resection , 16 weeks after colon surgery too long of time. She has never had chemo at all yet. Just wondered if anyone out there knows, thanks

Comments

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #2
    Hi
    From all I have read from other's experience, chemo is usually not started until about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. The surgical area must have some healing time.

    The reason some get chemo first is that docs feel surgery not possible until tumors shrink or reduce in number.

    Have the doctors said when they want her to start chemo? 7 weeks after last surgery doesn't sound out of line, but only her doctors can provide the best opinion.

    Wishing your daughter best results of treatments.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    #3
    Atlanticcanada
    I started chemo 4 weeks after colon and liver resection. I just felt I wanted to get it started and not risk anything thinking about growing. Dr suggested 4-6 weeks, I choose 4 weeks, surgeon released me and felt I was ready. I have done 8 of 12 Folfox - 4 more to go.
    Good luck with treatment.
    Sandy :)
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #4
    I started chemo 4 weeks
    I started chemo 4 weeks after all 3 of my liver resections. You have to wait 8 weeks for avastin but it is best to start chemo ASAP even without avastin and start that later.
  • atlanticcanada
    atlanticcanada Member Posts: 74
    #5
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi
    From all I have read from other's experience, chemo is usually not started until about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. The surgical area must have some healing time.

    The reason some get chemo first is that docs feel surgery not possible until tumors shrink or reduce in number.

    Have the doctors said when they want her to start chemo? 7 weeks after last surgery doesn't sound out of line, but only her doctors can provide the best opinion.

    Wishing your daughter best results of treatments.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Her liver surgeon said she
    Her liver surgeon said she could go 3 months (i am sure he is thinking of the liver healing ) the oncologist said they usually like to start 6 weeks , so we are wondering if it is pushing it if she starts 7 weeks . She has a natruopath doctor as well so she does do many supplements , mistletoe and iv vitamin c.
  • sdp
    sdp Member Posts: 181
    #6
    Chemo after resection
    I started chemo 2.5 months after the liver resection and the period I was off chemo totally has been 4.5 months.

    I had colon resection first then liver resection , then RFA to two mets. Time period between stopping of chemo and colon resection was 1 month and then 1 month thereafter had the liver resection and then started chemo 2.5 months later.

    Had done 10 cycles of FOLFOX plus erbitux bi weekly and erbitux solo weekly prior to resection. Currently completing the balance 2 cycles.

    Onco wants me to then have erbitux solo on a weekly basis for 3 months thereafter as maintenance chemo.

    Does anyone have any suggestion as to why such a long period of maintenance chemo is required ? My CEA and ca 19-9 levels are in the range required.

    Is it usual protocol to have this kind of maintenance chemo. Any help or suggestion welcome.

    Sdp

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