Had a conversation with my onc today as we are approaching the end of the current 6 rounds of maintenance chemo in the current cycle to discuss future plans, my maintenance chemo consists of Avastin and 5-FU (infused). Oral meds are not an option, as I had gastric bypass 8 years ago and don't have the upper GI tract to properly absorb it.
She would like to "give me a break from the systemic chemo" and suggested sending me for a consult for radioembolism or chemoembolism (she did not make a preference). I have no remaining visible liver mets on MRI of the original 10+ mets spread throughout both lobes. Though I guess that doesn't prevent there from being other micro mets that are not visible. I've been doing chemo (whether full FOLFOX + Avastin or the maintenance protocol) for about 16 months. The cancer was determined at the original biopsy of being poorly differentiated.
I haven't seen much about these two treatments lately (search shows some discussion back in 2012 on the radioembolism).
If anyone has had either of these treatments, I'd love to have a conversation about the procedures, side effects and effectiveness of what you went through. My next MRI is Feb 27 and onc apt on March 4 so still a month to decide if I want to pursue it or just reduce the frequency of the current maintenance chemo (though when I take advantage of an extra week off, the next treatment tends to knock me harder).
Thanks.