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Joan M · 06-09-2016, 07:41 AM

I haven't exactly heard of this procedure. However, you may want to contact Dr. Steven Chmura at University of Chicago about a clinical trial that is using local procedures along with systemic therapy to treat oligometastatic breast cancer, or breast cancer that has limited metastatic spread (search under clinicaltrials.gov):

NCT02364557

For Canadian women, here's a similar clinical trial:

NCT01446744

I've been posting on this site since 2007 about the potential benefits of using local procedures along with systemic therapy to treat oligometastatic breast cancer.

I used both a lung wedge resection (or surgery) in 2007, and in 2008 radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the lung (or burning the tumor with radiofrequency waves), which is a very minimally invasive procedure. Oftentimes, these procedures can also be used if systemic therapy eliminates most of the tumors, such that only a few stubborn ones remain.

The idea of oligometastatic cancer is not new and was brought up many years ago by Dr. Samuel Hellman who is now professor emeritus at University of Chicago. Every year, AACR has a session on oligometastasis, and at ASCO this year, there was a session on treating advanced prostate cancer with local procedures.

However, there is never such a session at SABCS, as it seems that breast cancer oncologists are still holding out on recommending a combination of system and local therapy. But I was very happy that Dr. Jenny Chang, who is frequently a panelist on SABCS's hot topic sessions for advocates, was on this year's AACR panel. Yay!!! Go, Jenny!!

Joan

06-09-2016, 07:41 AM	#3
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Laser Assisted Pulmonary Metastasectomy I haven't exactly heard of this procedure. However, you may want to contact Dr. Steven Chmura at University of Chicago about a clinical trial that is using local procedures along with systemic therapy to treat oligometastatic breast cancer, or breast cancer that has limited metastatic spread (search under clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02364557 For Canadian women, here's a similar clinical trial: NCT01446744 I've been posting on this site since 2007 about the potential benefits of using local procedures along with systemic therapy to treat oligometastatic breast cancer. I used both a lung wedge resection (or surgery) in 2007, and in 2008 radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the lung (or burning the tumor with radiofrequency waves), which is a very minimally invasive procedure. Oftentimes, these procedures can also be used if systemic therapy eliminates most of the tumors, such that only a few stubborn ones remain. The idea of oligometastatic cancer is not new and was brought up many years ago by Dr. Samuel Hellman who is now professor emeritus at University of Chicago. Every year, AACR has a session on oligometastasis, and at ASCO this year, there was a session on treating advanced prostate cancer with local procedures. However, there is never such a session at SABCS, as it seems that breast cancer oncologists are still holding out on recommending a combination of system and local therapy. But I was very happy that Dr. Jenny Chang, who is frequently a panelist on SABCS's hot topic sessions for advocates, was on this year's AACR panel. Yay!!! Go, Jenny!! 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!!