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Lori R · 07-03-2012, 06:38 AM

Jackie,
I don't have first hand information to share with you, but I did want you to know that SRS was discussed as a potential option for my single liver met.

During my consultation at the University of Colorado medical center, the fact that I continued to battle a single liver met and was in great physical condition...we opted for the "gold standard" and went for the liver resection. Unfortunately, during the resection the surgeon was able to identify cancerous nodes that did not appear on scans. Oh well....I am glad I went for the gusto. I know I tried everything. But, surgery does come with significant risks.

During the consultation, the radiologist who would have managed the SRS treatment said the average progression free results were in the 3-5 years. I believe the challenge is stabalizing the liver as it moves when we breath. Also, uncertainty as to how the liver reacts to radiation.

Do NOT let anyone count you out because of breast cancer vs. colon cancer. There was a hint of reluctance in my case as well. When the Drs. saw that I was realistic about what the surgery might buy me, they were all in for moving forward.

Keep on fighting for what is in your heart. Good Drs. will direct you. It was the radiologist who suggested the surgery as she thought given the available data it seemed like the best option.

Lori

07-03-2012, 06:38 AM	#2
Lori R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Evergreen, Colorado Posts: 454	Re: SRS and liver met Jackie, I don't have first hand information to share with you, but I did want you to know that SRS was discussed as a potential option for my single liver met. During my consultation at the University of Colorado medical center, the fact that I continued to battle a single liver met and was in great physical condition...we opted for the "gold standard" and went for the liver resection. Unfortunately, during the resection the surgeon was able to identify cancerous nodes that did not appear on scans. Oh well....I am glad I went for the gusto. I know I tried everything. But, surgery does come with significant risks. During the consultation, the radiologist who would have managed the SRS treatment said the average progression free results were in the 3-5 years. I believe the challenge is stabalizing the liver as it moves when we breath. Also, uncertainty as to how the liver reacts to radiation. Do NOT let anyone count you out because of breast cancer vs. colon cancer. There was a hint of reluctance in my case as well. When the Drs. saw that I was realistic about what the surgery might buy me, they were all in for moving forward. Keep on fighting for what is in your heart. Good Drs. will direct you. It was the radiologist who suggested the surgery as she thought given the available data it seemed like the best option. Lori __________________ 2007 Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008 Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED March - Continue - Herceptin Only April - Rads for 6 weeks 2009 Continue Herceptin - Continue NED April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met May - Cryosurgery June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED 2010 January - Continue NED July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1 August - Cryosurgery #2 August - November Navelbine November - Back to NED - End Navelbine 2011 Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin July - Confirmed continued liver involvement August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb October - Mixed results from H+T Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April 2012 January PET Scan - It's working!! April - Back to NED July - Recurrance August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)