Radiation Pellets to treat liver mets?

jml · 04-23-2010, 02:48 PM

Hi All~
So we got a little light of hope through the clouds after learning that my scan results were "mixed" after 8 weeks of Ixempra/Herceptin.
While the combo has done an amazing job cleaning up the nodes in my belly, and I'm clinically much improved, and I do feel much better, my poor liver didn't respond, even progressed.
It's been a long week with lots of doctors visits, but we have a plan in motion, and that is so helpful.
1)I'm continuing on another cycle of Ixempra to finish cleaning up my belly
2)Traveling to Indiana next week to IU to get screened for their TDM1 trial - though it's just to be wait-listed for if/when they open up the trial again - just gotta get on their radar
3)Radioative pellets directly to liver to hit those mets in there. We just met with the surgeon today, and this is what he proposed. He'll present my case at the group conference next week, then tell me their recommendations, though he believes this is a good option.
Does anyone have any experience with either the trial @Indiana or the radioactive pellets?
It's been so hard feeling like we're in limbo, with so few options, but this plan makes me feel more optimistic and pro active.
I would so appreciate any feedback or experience you guys may have.

Keeping the faith~

Jessica

Lori R · 04-23-2010, 04:36 PM

Jessica,

I am so happy to hear that you have a new plan!! A little clean up and then another weapon for the final punch. Sounds like a great idea.

Sorry no experience with the pellets. Did they consider RFA or the cryoablation?

Rich66 · 04-23-2010, 05:31 PM

Should be a link to beatlivertumors.org and a support group:

Liver mets
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...053#post221053

jml · 04-24-2010, 12:25 PM

Thanks so much for the kind, encouraging words.
And Rich, your support, resources and guidance are always invaluable.THANK YOU!

I don't believe I'm a candidate for RFA or cryo this time around because there are multiple clusters. I did have RFA back in Jan 05 when there was only a single met in the R lobe and NED everywhere else. It wasn't completely successful and I ended up having a R hepatectomy in Dec 05, that kept my liver NED until last November.
In reading the info in the link Rich provided above, I'm so encouraged to read "multiple sites of disease within the liver can be selectively irradiated in a single procedure..."
and also "studies found that the addition of systemic chemotherapy was effective in potentiating the efficacy of SIR-Spheres, as well as having an effect on extrahepatic disease, resulting in a significantly improved survival benefit"
So it sounds like our plan of continuing on the ixempra to clean up the rest of the belly nodes AND the SIR Spheres is exactly the combo we need.

Thank you again for the support and the information.
I've been so scared - feeling hopeless. And then so sad because my sister who's been staying with me for the past 3 weeks left to go home today. I'm still feeling uncertain about how I'm going to manage without her...how did manage to do it all before?

But this information has really brightened up my day.
I feel hopeful and confident that I can do this.
That I can beat the monster back again.
Knowledge is power, and I feel powerful again.

Thank you Thank you Thank You~

Jml

Joan M · 04-24-2010, 04:04 PM

Jml,

You went almost five years NED in liver with hepatectomy? That's impressive. I have to keep that local procedure in mind, as I believe in looking under every rock for therapies to keep the cancer away.

Praying the SIR Spheres work to eradicate those stubborn mets.

Joan

juanita · 04-25-2010, 08:42 PM

Just crossing my fingers that this works for you.

chrisy · 04-26-2010, 09:54 AM

The SIR approach is very exciting, isn't it? I saw a talk at San Antonio that included some discussion of this technique. It's like science fiction only better - because it's actually happening!

Glad you have such a good medical team working with you.

I don't know what TDM1 trial you are trying to get into, but I agree - get on the radar so you have a better chance to get in because they do fill up fast.

I'm in a different TDM1 study - I was in the Phase II study of TDM1 as a single agent every 3 weeks, it has been a remarkable therapy for me. I completed the 1 year on that one and am in an "extension study", and had my treatment #35 I think last week. The extension study is, I think, to get longer term data on efficacy and side effects. If/when you get closer to being in a TDM1 study, I have a lot of experience there

schoolteacher · 04-26-2010, 12:33 PM

JML,

Please let us know what you learn about the procedure. Hope you are feeling better today.

Amelia

11-19-2010, 03:03 PM

Jml,
I was wondering if you were able to get into the trial? If you did, was it successful? My best friend is 33 and was diagnosed with EHE Liver Cancer and her doctor wants to try the pellets, but she is afraid. Right now she gets chemo and radiation once a week. What are your thoughts?
Thank you,
Teri