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Joan M · 03-01-2010, 04:04 PM

Jen,

Sorry to hear about Jacquie's battle with her liver. Please tell her that I'm sending prayers and good vibes her way.

I would echo Tom and Lori about checking into RFA or cryoablation (freezing the tumor).

On that note, what many advanced breast cancer patients do not realize is that these procedures are really looked down upon by most medical oncologists and also surgeons, and therefore they're never mentioned to the patient. Oncologists do not consider them standard of care for advanced breast cancer.

As Tom mentioned, I don't know the particulars of Jacquie's case, but perhaps she can find out whether RFA or cryoablation might be an option. If her oncologist disagrees, I would consult with an interventional radiology doc to find out whether it's even a possibility.

I had a lung RFA. But unfortunately by a year later a fungal ball developed because I had inhaled a common soil fungus while gardening. This was a rare occurrence which lead to a lung surgery to cut out that section of the lung. But, the good news is that the pathology report showed ONLY the fungus -- NO CANCER -- so after a year I was still NED.

Hang in there.

Best, Joan

03-01-2010, 04:04 PM	#18
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: womanofsteel aka Jacquie Jen, Sorry to hear about Jacquie's battle with her liver. Please tell her that I'm sending prayers and good vibes her way. I would echo Tom and Lori about checking into RFA or cryoablation (freezing the tumor). On that note, what many advanced breast cancer patients do not realize is that these procedures are really looked down upon by most medical oncologists and also surgeons, and therefore they're never mentioned to the patient. Oncologists do not consider them standard of care for advanced breast cancer. As Tom mentioned, I don't know the particulars of Jacquie's case, but perhaps she can find out whether RFA or cryoablation might be an option. If her oncologist disagrees, I would consult with an interventional radiology doc to find out whether it's even a possibility. I had a lung RFA. But unfortunately by a year later a fungal ball developed because I had inhaled a common soil fungus while gardening. This was a rare occurrence which lead to a lung surgery to cut out that section of the lung. But, the good news is that the pathology report showed ONLY the fungus -- NO CANCER -- so after a year I was still NED. Hang in there. Best, Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 03-01-2010 at 04:16 PM..