chemoembolization vs resection

Options
maurice1
maurice1 Member Posts: 7
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Dear all
My sister diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer Nov,09. They removed tumor from colon and they did wedge resection on liver. Only one tumor with the size of 15mm left in liver. They did 3 session of chemoembolization and removed the tumor by laser.

Last week the Dr. did second screening scan on liver(he was screening every 3 months). Unfortunately tumor returned. The size is 10mm but in different place. Dr. advised to do 2 sessions of chemoembolization. Knowing that she was on Xeloda regieme for almost 18 months, what other options she have right now? Does the treatment going to right direction? Does she need to change Xeloda? Can they do more to improve her survival chance? I will appreciate any advice regarding resectioning. I heard resection has no advantages vs chemoembolization. Am I right?

Thanks a lot for your advise

Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
    Options
    Welcome Maurice
    Maurice, welcome to this forum, although I am sorry you need to be here. What a good brother you are to help your sister this way. I don't have any experience with chemoembolization, but someone else is sure to help you.
  • maurice1
    maurice1 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    Options
    AnneCan said:

    Welcome Maurice
    Maurice, welcome to this forum, although I am sorry you need to be here. What a good brother you are to help your sister this way. I don't have any experience with chemoembolization, but someone else is sure to help you.

    Thanks for your warm
    Ann, Thanks for your warm welcome. This is really great place for us.
  • here4lfe
    here4lfe Member Posts: 306 Member
    #4
    Options
    Maurice, welcome to the board.
    My wife is Stage 4, diagnosed in 2009. Your sister's treatment plan is similar to my wife's, who will have a second chemoembolization this week. My wife had a lot of complications from the resection, and the tumors are coming back in her liver anyway.
    My wife's team tends to do the embolization versus another resection. The recovery time and complication risk are lower, but they stress the treatment is not curative.
    After the embolization, my wife was tired, but snapped back pretty fast. The chemo is put right on the tumor, which is supposed to keep the side-effects to a minimum.

    Best
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #5
    Options
    Dear Maurice
    I also don't know much about chemoembolization... I hope your sister will do well with whatever treatments line up for her.

    Best wishes!
    Dora
  • maurice1
    maurice1 Member Posts: 7
    #6
    Options
    here4lfe said:

    Maurice, welcome to the board.
    My wife is Stage 4, diagnosed in 2009. Your sister's treatment plan is similar to my wife's, who will have a second chemoembolization this week. My wife had a lot of complications from the resection, and the tumors are coming back in her liver anyway.
    My wife's team tends to do the embolization versus another resection. The recovery time and complication risk are lower, but they stress the treatment is not curative.
    After the embolization, my wife was tired, but snapped back pretty fast. The chemo is put right on the tumor, which is supposed to keep the side-effects to a minimum.

    Best

    Hi,
    I wish all the best for
    Hi,
    I wish all the best for your wife. Thanks for your comment. In my sister's case, Dr. removed the tumor by laser after 3 sessions of embolization but tumor showed up in another place after six months. I was told that since the tumor didn't return in same place it means she is responding good to the treatment.
    Maurice
  • maurice1
    maurice1 Member Posts: 7
    #7
    Options
    luvmum said:

    Dear Maurice
    I also don't know much about chemoembolization... I hope your sister will do well with whatever treatments line up for her.

    Best wishes!
    Dora

    Thanks Dora.
    Thanks Dora. I read some of your comments. It is nice of you trying support others. I wish all the best for you too.
    Maurice
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #8
    Options
    Maurice
    I am sorry that your sister is facing this. My own sister has been a bedrock of support to me and my family and I am very grateful for her love and assistance. I am sure your sister feels the same about you.

    I don't know much about chemoembolization. With respect to survival advantages of ce over resection, I have read that resection offers the best opportunity of a cure but of course, things change constantly and it could well be that ce is just as effective.

    One thing I would suggest is to research an option called HAI (hepatic arterial infusion) pump. This treatment is basically a chemo pump implanted directly into the abdomen and routed to the hepatic vein in the liver. It can be used for both pre- and post-surgical intervention. I personally had one implanted after my liver resection which took place in Feb 2009. My liver surgeon told me that without the pump my chance of a recurrence in the liver was 70% and my chance of recurrence in the liver with the pump was 50%. They do this procedure in only a few places and Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC uses it very frequently.


    On the basis of your questions I would think that a second opinion (if your sister hasn't already done so) would be good for your sister to pursue. Please PM me if you have any other questions.

    Best,
    Amy
  • maurice1
    maurice1 Member Posts: 7
    #9
    Options
    mom_2_3 said:

    Maurice
    I am sorry that your sister is facing this. My own sister has been a bedrock of support to me and my family and I am very grateful for her love and assistance. I am sure your sister feels the same about you.

    I don't know much about chemoembolization. With respect to survival advantages of ce over resection, I have read that resection offers the best opportunity of a cure but of course, things change constantly and it could well be that ce is just as effective.

    One thing I would suggest is to research an option called HAI (hepatic arterial infusion) pump. This treatment is basically a chemo pump implanted directly into the abdomen and routed to the hepatic vein in the liver. It can be used for both pre- and post-surgical intervention. I personally had one implanted after my liver resection which took place in Feb 2009. My liver surgeon told me that without the pump my chance of a recurrence in the liver was 70% and my chance of recurrence in the liver with the pump was 50%. They do this procedure in only a few places and Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC uses it very frequently.


    On the basis of your questions I would think that a second opinion (if your sister hasn't already done so) would be good for your sister to pursue. Please PM me if you have any other questions.

    Best,
    Amy

    Amy
    Thanks a lot Amy. This is the technique that I have not heard of it before. I wish I would find this forum earlier. I am getting a lot of valuable information. Supporting is the least we can offer for a loved one. My prayers with you.
    Best,

Discussion Boards