Seeking a miracle for my dad who had suffered from lung cancer¡­¡­

My father used to be a very passionate and energetic person. He is always positive for everything in life no matter what difficulties and pain that he had to face. Unfortunately, he has currently been tortured by cancer. About 5 months ago, He was diagnosed with large-cell neuroendocrine lung cancer and brain metastases. Recently, metastatic lesion was also found in his small intestine. He had four operations so far and was given radiotherapy for the lung and brain. The chemotherapy could not be carried out due to the prolonged and severe anemia. The local specialists in China lack of experience to solve this problem. They do not have effective therapeutics to prolong the patient¡¯s life. As a daughter, however, I won¡¯t give up. Even there is a little hope, I will try my best to help my dad and my family. I sincere hope any one who sees this note will give us a hand, asking your friends, your doctor, or whoever you know has experience or information regarding some new drugs or novel therapeutics even just in the clinical trials that could be of help in this case. My family is seeking for a miracle, which could give my dad a chance to live, at least to live a little bit longer. Your help would be much appreciated.
Please contact us: fxiaolan@ucalgary.ca (403) 802-3081 (Home)

Patient History
Male, 57 yrs, smoking (1pack/day). Hypercholesterolemia. No other illness.

Jan 6th, 2004. Acute headache, dizziness, nausea, precipitated by exertion. Admitted to the hospital, CT show: hemorrhage on the right cerebella (ganglia). Given coagulant and other osmotic therapy to decrease the intracranial pressure. The symptoms were worsened after one week, surgical removal of the hematoma was performed. Discharged after symptoms were relieved.

Jan 19th, 2004, the patient presented the similar symptoms, however, more severe than before. Admitted to the hospital again. CT showed hemorrhage at the same site. Surgical removal of the hematoma, surrounding tissue appeared abnormal and was taken to the pathological examination. Pathological report indicated giloma. However, other pathologists and neurologists from other hospitals including Foothill Hospital in University of Calgary, Canada held different views of this case. It was also opinioned as metastasis from an epithelial originated cancer. However, the primary tumor site could not be identified due to the loss of antigenity of the pathological slides and limited amount of the tumor sample from the second surgery. At that time, the patient was treated as a primary glioma case in which local radiotherapy (22Gy) was administrated. In the mean time, thorough examination was performed. Chest CT scan performed on Jan 19th was brought into attention as it showed a nodule on the upper right lobe of the lung. Feb 20th, 2004, chest CT scan was performed again, the lesion did not change, however the border became not as clear as before. The following procedures were suggested: 1) Needle biopsy. 2) Surgical resection and biopsy. 3) PET. PET was chosen first due to the invasiveness. The PET showed the metabolism was highly increased in the same lesion as CT scan indicated. The surgical resection of the tumor was followed and the pathology showed ¡°large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer and fibrosarcoma¡±. At this point, the doctors came to the agreement that the primary tumor was identified and the whole brain radiotherapy (36Gy) was administrated. April 6th, 2004, Combination chemotherapy (Cisplatin +Gemcitabine) began. Bone marrow suppression (leukopenia WBC: 220/mm3) occurred after 8 days, chemo was suspended. Supportive treatments were given accordingly. The level of leukocyte returned to normal. (April 16th, 2004. WBC 835/mm3. Hb 86.4 g/l). However, the RBC and Hb were markly decreased subsequently. (April 18th, 2004 RBC 257 x109/L. Hb 71.7 g/l; April 20th, 2004 Hb 70g/l. RBC 249x109/L) Stool OB test appeared positive on April 21th, 2004. Bone marrow sampling was performed in light of this issue, but did not indicate any major problem. (April 22th, 2004. Bone marrow sampling: Leukocyte ratio increased. May 14th, 2004. Bone marrow sampling: proliferative anemia)

After a series of supportive treatments including blood transfusion and erythropoietin, the Hb was improved a little (around 78g/l). However, stool OB test continued to be positive for about a month. Stomach and colon endoscopy were performed but nothing was found out abnormal. During this period, chest CT scan was repeated and indicated lymphyadenopathy close to medial sternum. Local radiotherapy was given. Consult from the GI specialists and the possible causes of anemia were considered as: 1) GI hemorrhage secondary to gastritis or tumor necrosis 2) Chronic anemia secondary to tumor. 3) Chemo side effects: bone marrow suppression 4) Hemolytic anemia. Capsule endoscopy of small intestine was carried out and showed nodule lesion in the upper portion of jejunum with hemorrhage and necrosis. The operation was suggested. The most recent blood test showed Hb 58.5g/l. RBC 232 x109/L. WBC 6.4 x103/L. PLT 325 x109/L.