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AD1965
AD1965 Member Posts: 8
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hi Everyone! First time posting...we love a long history dealing with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. My husband was 45 at diagnosis, he was a stage 1 initially and 10 month later became a stage 4 with multiple lung metastasis on both longs. He is 53 now and he is on the second line of treatment. He had 44 rounds of Folfiri and Avastin. He tolerated it well initially bit the GI side affects were brutal towards the last treatments. When this combo was no longer affective he tried Folfox. His body was not able to handle the full dose of Oxi so he continued with a reduce dose. Cough, shortness of breath wheezing did not imporve. He feels tired, his appetite is better but sad about the possibility of Folfox not being effective. We live in Toronto and he is treated at Credit Valley Hospital. We have been very pleased with the care and support from staff. What else available in Ontario? I an very scared and trying to plan for next step. Thank you! Love and hugs to everyone in the journey.

Comments

  • Mike1212
    Mike1212 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018 #2
    My wife was recently

    My wife was recently diagnosed, and unfortunately I have no helpful advice, other than my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband .

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #3
    Welcome

    Sorry to hear about your husband.  It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot over the last 8 years and your husband has endured so much treatment.  The Oxi is a hard drug and that was hard for me as well.  As far as what Canada has to offer, I'm not sure.  Are you able to get second opinions?  If so, I'd do that and have another doctor go over what has already been tried on your husband if the Folfox is not working.  Wishing your husband the best.

    Kim

  • Woodytele
    Woodytele Member Posts: 163
    #4
    Cetuximab

    has he tried Cetuximab yet?  Is he Wild-type or KRAS mutation?  If he is left side wild type, he may benefit from Cetuximab as a second line treatment. 

  • AD1965
    AD1965 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018 #5
    Woodytele said:

    Cetuximab

    has he tried Cetuximab yet?  Is he Wild-type or KRAS mutation?  If he is left side wild type, he may benefit from Cetuximab as a second line treatment. 

    Hello, Thanks so much for

    Hello, Thanks so much for your response. How can you find out about the mutation? Would the oncologist know? Sorry it may be a stupid question. 

  • AD1965
    AD1965 Member Posts: 8
    #6
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Welcome

    Sorry to hear about your husband.  It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot over the last 8 years and your husband has endured so much treatment.  The Oxi is a hard drug and that was hard for me as well.  As far as what Canada has to offer, I'm not sure.  Are you able to get second opinions?  If so, I'd do that and have another doctor go over what has already been tried on your husband if the Folfox is not working.  Wishing your husband the best.

    Kim

    Thanks for your response. We

    Thanks for your response. We will meet the oncologist in a few days to find out about the next step. We can get second opinion and we will if we need to. We feel very overwhelmed right now.

  • BGNor
    BGNor Member Posts: 32 Member
    #7
    AD1965 said:

    Hello, Thanks so much for

    Hello, Thanks so much for your response. How can you find out about the mutation? Would the oncologist know? Sorry it may be a stupid question. 

    Probably done, but check anyway

    Hi

    The genetic testing is probably done already as it seems to be pretty standard, but it doesn't hurt to check. The oncologist probably have those results already.

    The most common mutations are KRAS and BRAF mutations(proteins that are involved in cell growth signalling). If present, they exclude the use of cetuximab (Erbitux).

    MSI(micro-satellite instability) status is another gene mutations you may want to check up on. Probably already done, but check anyway. Only about 5% of CRC are of the MSI-H type, but these types of cancers can be targeted with pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Some patients have good results with pembrolizumab. Chances are low for this type of mutation, but its definately worth a check.

    Bjorn

  • AD1965
    AD1965 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018 #8
    BGNor said:

    Probably done, but check anyway

    Hi

    The genetic testing is probably done already as it seems to be pretty standard, but it doesn't hurt to check. The oncologist probably have those results already.

    The most common mutations are KRAS and BRAF mutations(proteins that are involved in cell growth signalling). If present, they exclude the use of cetuximab (Erbitux).

    MSI(micro-satellite instability) status is another gene mutations you may want to check up on. Probably already done, but check anyway. Only about 5% of CRC are of the MSI-H type, but these types of cancers can be targeted with pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Some patients have good results with pembrolizumab. Chances are low for this type of mutation, but its definately worth a check.

    Bjorn

    Thank you for this

    Thank you for this information. Very helpful.

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