Liver Resection scrapped!

Looks like I am not a candidate for the liver resection. New scans show the damn tumor decided to take up residence right up on the top of the main ventricle and then wrap itself around it for good measure. The surgeon says the surgery would be too risky and no chance of clear margins if they did try. At least the additional scans didn't show anything else of particular interest at this time. I was also glad to hear that it had not grown any in the month since the last scan Dec.'09, which had actually shown it a little smaller than when first seen on the PET scan in Oct.'09. He had presented the new scans to the tumor board this morning and it was the general consensus that resection was out of the question so the suggestion was made to try Cyberknife or bland embolization. So we are going to plan B; whatever that is turns out to be. As there is no chemo that has really shown any evidence of being especially effective for the treatment of anal cancer metastases, I am uncertain about that aspect. One of the members on the colo-rectal board had Sirspheres earlier this week so I did ask the surgeon about that. Moffitt calls it Theraspheres and he said that it had not been approved for the treatment of anal cancer mets to the liver, but that it was not to be ruled out. That we can certainly pursue getting it approved. The surgeon, Dr. Malafa was so very kind throughout the whole thing, I was really touched by the compassion he showed. He also said that one of the most important things was to remain hopeful and optimistic. That sometimes a positive attitude is actually more effective than what medicine can achieve. So back to the drawing board, meeting with the Radiation oncologist next week to get her recommendations and see where we go from here. Thanks for your thoughts, concerns and prayers.
Blessings to all,
Joanne