Hi,
My step-brother, 30, has been dx'd with stage IV cc that's in his liver, lungs, and bones. He just started chemo (oxaliplaten and 5FU). The doctor will add Avastin in his third round.
The oncologist and surgeon said surgery won't help because it's spread so much. My family and I have been looking into more aggressive treatments such as liver resection. Today, we received an e-mail from his second opinion dr stating the following:
"i think the very aggressive therapy you mentioned is highly experimental and not done at academic centers. i do not think it would benefit you. even if it sounds reasonable, your cancer is at so many places (including lung and bone), it cannot really be cut out. i fear that the surgery would be very, very aggressive and make you sicker than you are now."
My family and I are very disheartened as it seems all we can do is wait to see if the chemo will stop the growth, which I pray it will.
Are there any stories of survivors who have/had very advanced stage IV cc (mets to all over liver, lungs, and bones) that they can share? It would really help now. I am on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Somedays I am hopeful. Other days I feel very bleak. My step-mom is feeling the same way. She's trying very hard to hold it together.
Thanks,
~jetlex