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Joan M · 04-12-2010, 08:05 PM

Shonda,

Sorry to hear about the bc spreading to your liver.

I would also suggest that you also ask MD Anderson about radiofrequency ablation. While cryoablation freezes tumors, RFA burns them with radio waves (not radiation). RFA of the liver is very common and has been around for awhile. Both procedures are done by interventional radiologists, and it would be best to find out directly from them whether you are a candidate. I had RFA of the lung in August 2008.

Also, unlike chemo, these procedures do not discriminate. They're worth checking into.

In my case, I had a rare problem in that a fungus grew in the cavity created by the probe, but this would not be the case with a liver ablation (hot or cold). Last July I had to have lung surgery to get rid of the fungus, but there was no cancer in the pathology report. Two weeks ago I had scans of the lungs, abdomen and pelvis and all were clean, which means there was still no cancer in the lung.

Joan

04-12-2010, 08:05 PM	#18
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: BC to liver Shonda, Sorry to hear about the bc spreading to your liver. I would also suggest that you also ask MD Anderson about radiofrequency ablation. While cryoablation freezes tumors, RFA burns them with radio waves (not radiation). RFA of the liver is very common and has been around for awhile. Both procedures are done by interventional radiologists, and it would be best to find out directly from them whether you are a candidate. I had RFA of the lung in August 2008. Also, unlike chemo, these procedures do not discriminate. They're worth checking into. In my case, I had a rare problem in that a fungus grew in the cavity created by the probe, but this would not be the case with a liver ablation (hot or cold). Last July I had to have lung surgery to get rid of the fungus, but there was no cancer in the pathology report. Two weeks ago I had scans of the lungs, abdomen and pelvis and all were clean, which means there was still no cancer in the lung. 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 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 04-12-2010 at 08:08 PM..