[Lori R]

Michka,
HI....Lori R checking with a few insights (for what they are worth) I sure wish I had a crystal ball because I have obsessed over which option is best, cryo+chemo, Liver resection????

I ultimately opted to have cryosurgery twice for liver mets. In both instances, I only had a single tumor approx 3 cm. in size. (somewhat frightening because I am scanned every 3 - 6 months and the tumor manages to grow that quickly)

Some of the factors that influenced my decision included;
*Onc and Interventional Radiologist (Dr. who performs Cryo...not a surgeon) are not supportive of liver resection. They too say the current standard of care does not support it. Based on all of the smart, aggressive members of this board, if the time was right I am confident that I could find a quality location to perform a resection. If I was to go that route, I'd ask the wise members of the team who they used and would need to travel from Denver, Colorado possibly down to MD Anderson down in Houston.

**A major personal factor was trying to not disrupt my daughter's senior year of High School. By using cryosurgery (it has been a very easy procedure with almost not recovery time ...at least for me) I've been able to have the procedure and be up and about the very next day. I have another detailed post on the site that explains the procedure in great (boring) detail.

**Wishful thinking....I had read that there was some evidence that the process of freezing cells and the associated healing might trigger an immune system response. Honestly, was keeping my fingers crossed that some magic would occur. So far, no magic.

So, Michka..although everyone is different I can blaze a few trails for you. My latest course of treatment involved cryosurgery + Navelbine. Both were very very tolerable. I didn't even lose my few strands of post taxotere hair. I have a scan in mid-february. I would love to come back and post that the Cryo+Navelbine worked.

The question that I've asked my Drs over and over (without a good response) is....am I passing up an opportunity to not just remove that portion of the liver with the met? Are we messing around here? My Onc did say that if there ever was a patient that she would support for a liver resection, it would be me. We'll see what the Feb scan brings. If it comes back AGAIN in the liver and no where else, I think I will be done with the zap approach and will pursue a resection. (YIKES....now that has me scared)

All the best to you for these tough decisions. Hope this input helps you sift through all the conflicting data and emotions.

Love...Lori