Is Ablation considered a surgery that can "cure"

abita
abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I feel like a lightbulb just went off. When oncologists say only liver surgery has the potential to be a "cure", does that include ablation? I think until this moment, I was thinking of it as just a quicker way to shrink the tumor than chemo, but if it has the potential to mean a longer, healthier life, I think I have to do whatever I can to get someone to use that on me.

Comments

  • mountainhiker
    mountainhiker Member Posts: 54
    #2
    When done properly

    I discussed this option before I had my resection.  When done by an experienced radiologist, my understanding is that it can destroy a tumor and all its cells.  But it has to destroy the tumor and a few milimeters of good cells around it to make sure all bad cells are dead - not a problem as long as the person doing it does it correctly (just like getting clear margins during a resection).

    You don't want the person who just got out of med school doing it - you want the doctor whose done a bunch.

    mountainhiker

  • Twinzma
    Twinzma Member Posts: 236 Member
    #3
    ALLPS?

    Ablation would obviously be the least invassive and I hope an option for you! But have you discussed a multi-stage Allps procedure with anyone? John Hopkins can do it in 3 phases where as most centers only do it in 2. By doing it in the 3 stages it opens the door to those who carry a larger tumor load. I have read a lot about alblation and yes it can bring a patient into NEDsville. Sadly this is not an option for my Jim, too much involvment. Even after ablation though mop up chemo would need to be preformed. 

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #4
    Twinzma said:

    ALLPS?

    Ablation would obviously be the least invassive and I hope an option for you! But have you discussed a multi-stage Allps procedure with anyone? John Hopkins can do it in 3 phases where as most centers only do it in 2. By doing it in the 3 stages it opens the door to those who carry a larger tumor load. I have read a lot about alblation and yes it can bring a patient into NEDsville. Sadly this is not an option for my Jim, too much involvment. Even after ablation though mop up chemo would need to be preformed. 

    I have two, at my last scan,

    I have two, at my last scan, tumors. It is a recurrence. I am fine with the mop up chemo. My oncologist said, I don't think they can be ablated due to location, but i have not talked to radiology yet. I have a second opinion with MSK the wekk after I start chemo. I am hoping that they have a very experienced person who can do it as I am not willing to accept only having a couple of years on maintenance chemo left. I am only 52. Thank you for your research!

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #5
    mountainhiker said:

    When done properly

    I discussed this option before I had my resection.  When done by an experienced radiologist, my understanding is that it can destroy a tumor and all its cells.  But it has to destroy the tumor and a few milimeters of good cells around it to make sure all bad cells are dead - not a problem as long as the person doing it does it correctly (just like getting clear margins during a resection).

    You don't want the person who just got out of med school doing it - you want the doctor whose done a bunch.

    mountainhiker

    My liver resection had clear

    My liver resection had clear margins, and here I go again :(

  • Twinzma
    Twinzma Member Posts: 236 Member
    edited September 2018 #6
    abita said:

    I have two, at my last scan,

    I have two, at my last scan, tumors. It is a recurrence. I am fine with the mop up chemo. My oncologist said, I don't think they can be ablated due to location, but i have not talked to radiology yet. I have a second opinion with MSK the wekk after I start chemo. I am hoping that they have a very experienced person who can do it as I am not willing to accept only having a couple of years on maintenance chemo left. I am only 52. Thank you for your research!

    MSK is definatley the place!

    MSK is definatley the place! You will get good news there I know it!!!Cool

     

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    #7
    abita said:

    I have two, at my last scan,

    I have two, at my last scan, tumors. It is a recurrence. I am fine with the mop up chemo. My oncologist said, I don't think they can be ablated due to location, but i have not talked to radiology yet. I have a second opinion with MSK the wekk after I start chemo. I am hoping that they have a very experienced person who can do it as I am not willing to accept only having a couple of years on maintenance chemo left. I am only 52. Thank you for your research!

    Location is definetly a factor

    also size they must be under 5 cm 

    it can be curative, absolutely yes! Let them tell you at Sloan, that’s who did my husband’s and it was in a tricky spot also. It was in the caudate lobe near his vena cava. He saw Dr Peter Kingham and he was experienced and not afraid like the dr here..

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #8
    Cure

    I personally don't believe in a cure, and I'm not looking for one. I am quite happy being NED, and hope to stay that way for the rest of my very long life. 

    I had an ablation (thermal) four years five months ago, and have been NED ever since (next set of tests coming up). So I won't tell you its a cure, because its not a word I use, but I will tell you that it is working for me. 

    A good liver surgeon should be the one who can tell you if you are or are not a candidate. My Oncologist wanted me to have a resection, but my liver surgeon said I was a great candidate for an ablation. 

    I was aslo told that 2 cm was the limit for ablation, but I bet it depends on who you talk to. 

    Good luck as you move forward and make decisions.

    Tru

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