Our Christmas Gift

As most of  you know, my husband, John (oneputt), has been on the nivolumab/votrient trial at Hopkins for over two years now. During the first year of the trial, he basically achieved 56% tumor reduction, followed by a year plus of stability. The trial requires CT scans every 12 weeks which are read by Hopkins and then by the pharmaceutical company sponsoring the trial. Until three months ago, the two scans mirrored the results of each other. But three months ago, it didn’t happen like that. The Hopkins scan reported stability but  the RECIST* report indicated  6% growth.  That, of course, was concerning as the trial only allows for 20% growth before being booted, plus this was the first time in over two years there was new growth.

So waiting for the next Hopkins scan scheduled for December 11  was tough and filled with angst. But when the Hopkins' results did come in they showed  stability—YES!  Now we had to see what the RECIST report would say; it usually comes in a week to 10 days after the Hopkins results.  For those 10 days we held our breath. We prayed the RECIST would mirror the Hopkins stability report and not show additional growth. But that didn't happen.  . .

It showed 5% shrinkage. What a Christmas present! We are thrilled!  Hope our good fortune this holiday season is replicated by all of you.

 

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FYI on scan confusion – Hopkins vs. RECIST as explained to  me by Dmike (David). The scan confusion deals with how RECIST measures tumors. Hopkins scan results reflect growth from the baseline. The RECIST uses growth from the smallest tumor size since being on the trial.