RadioFrequency Ablation

markatger
markatger Member Posts: 314
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi :)

Hope everyone is well. I am struggling with feeling good about my treatment plan. I am to have rectal surgery on Aug 26. Last week I found out that my liver tumor is re-grown to 2.6 cm from some shrinkage that occured earlier this year. I am very concerned about leaving the tumor growing for another month and a half before the surgeons will do the liver surgery (they won't do the surgeries at the same time). A GI doctor who is a friend of the family suggested that maybe I could have readiofrequecy ablation in the month between my surgeries (September). Or possibly have a hepatic artery chemo pump put in.

Has any one had either of these done? Are there restricitons to starting them soon after rectal surgery? Or would it be feasible to do it to try to control the growth in the month between surgeries.

I'm of course going to be asking the docs these questions this week. I do feel kind of strange suggesting protocols to my doctors - like I am qualified to do this! I want to trust their plan, but I feel like the plan is sort of a cookie cutter plan that maybe is not as aggresive as it could be.

Thanks as always for the help : )
Maria

Comments

  • mikew42
    mikew42 Member Posts: 114 Member
    #2
    Maria,
    I have had radiofrequency ablation back in October of 2004. This was for a couple of small (less than 1 cm) liver mets. My tumor was used as a control to see if chemo was working, since my CEA wasn't really elevated. The chemo did work as the tumor was shrunk by half and actually did not show up on PET scan. I had laproscopic RFA to zap the tumor "just in case". I was sore for a couple of weeks, but did go back to work full time after one week. I think generally, surgeons and oncs like to treat the main tumor first, then go after mets. By the way, I've benn NED since. Hope this helps. Mike
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #3
    It's interesting that only about 15 minutes ago I got home from an appointment with my surgeon (a followup appointment regarding that horrible anal fissure problem) and we discussed RFA. He has mentioned it in the past as a possibility, and I recently read an article about it that made the process seem so simple. He told me that it's never as simple as it seems on paper and, for me, it is a resort after treating my liver mets with chemo. But as you said, your liver met has grown, so you are at a different point than I am. I am very curious what your doctors will say when you suggest RFA. Please post again and let us know.

    And, as always Maria, I wish you the best.

    Rodney
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #4
    Hi. Do NOT feel bad about suggesting other treatments!! You are your best advocate. Your doctors are caring for you, but also caring for others. If they don't think it is a good treatment plan, let them explain why!

    That is modern medicine. Patients are supposed to read and question, to make sure they get the best they can!

    Be well, and stay strong. jana
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #5
    jana11 said:

    Hi. Do NOT feel bad about suggesting other treatments!! You are your best advocate. Your doctors are caring for you, but also caring for others. If they don't think it is a good treatment plan, let them explain why!

    That is modern medicine. Patients are supposed to read and question, to make sure they get the best they can!

    Be well, and stay strong. jana

    Guided Imagery / Emotions and Cancer
    Allo allo : )

    Well I am very enthused today about trying several different holistic healing methods. I bought a Andrew Weil Guided Imagery CD. I'm also looking into to seeking some sort personalized appointments for this. I'm interested in trying to use imagery to help my body fight cancer as well as I think some therapy would be good for me to work on some emotional issues that may have contributed to causing my cancer.

    A few weeks ago there was a thread about "acid vs alkaline" emotions. I guess I'm interested in hearing about anyones experience and tactics with making changes in this area (that you're comfortable sharing!). It seems like there is many different kinds of things out there to try...hypnosis, imagery, biofeedback, rolfing, pychotherapy.

    Thanks,
    Maria

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