Inoperable Stage IVs

[Scaredoutofmind]

Question, how many of you stage IVs were deemed inoperable? Why were you deemed inoperable? Did you seek additional opinions? What has your treatment been and how long has it been?

Thanks

[Joannerogers]

So far I'm considered inoperable due to the location of my tumors. I have 3 3mm tumors practically on top of my portal vein, my onc is looking for a surgeon who can do it . But so far we are waiting .

[Bev G]

So far I'm considered inoperable due to the location of my tumors. I have 3 3mm tumors practically on top of my portal vein, my onc is looking for a surgeon who can do it . But so far we are waiting .

Hi Joanne,

If you haven't already done so, please seek the opinion of a liver TRANSPLANT surgeon. They deal with potentially tricky vascular issues all the time. My liver resection was done more than 5 years ago by a UPMC trained transplant surgeon. My tangerine sized tumor was about 2 mm from my IVC and hepatic artery in my posterior caudate lobe. AWFUL location, My "top gun" surgeon saved my life and I believe didn't even break a sweat doing it. If you are anywhere near Pittsburgh, maybe call him: Ngoc Thai.

HTH,

Bev

[jalusa]

I am currently inoperable. I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering for the HAI pump. My liver tumors are now showing some shrinkage that they did not with systemic chemo. I am hoping to get to resection.

[stu]

Hi.
My mum was initially inoperable due to tumour load. Chemo allowed her to get a liver resection. A recurrence deemed her inoperable again and concern was raised this time to the tumour being located near a blood vessel. Chemo again this time a referral to a surgeon familiar with liver transplants and this has given her four years treatment free. Her oncologist wanted to keep her on chemo but a request for a surgical opinion by her changed treatment approach and outcomes.
Hope this helps.
Stu

[musicluvr]

Inoperable due to multiple mets on both lungs. See Onc Tuesday to see if RFA is an option, otherwise chemo for life.

[midlifemom]

Inoperable due to multiple mets on both lungs. See Onc Tuesday to see if RFA is an option, otherwise chemo for life.

Is your onc determining if rfa is an option? Or an interventional radiologist?

[Crystald]

Two of the largest tumors in my liver are "joined", there is nothing available to re-sect, so I have been told.
Chemo for life.

[sjring]

I was deemed inoperable because of the number of liver mets and that they were in both lobes. I am chemo for life. I do 5-FU and Avastin and switch back and forth between adding back in the Oxili depending on what's going on. The liver mets are no longer visible on scan and has remained that way, however I have other spots where the mets are popping up and going away and popping back up.

[chrissyrice]

Inoperable due to mets in the abdominal aortic artery.

[ieowi]

Dad inoperable due too tumors in lymphnode, and mets in abdominal wall, seeking possible trials, currently doing cms test to see if other medication available, similar too( nci-match )

[Joannerogers]

Bevg, yes my onc is pressing for a transplant surgeon at vandy to do it. I'll have a repeat scan on October 3 , we will send it to vandy and see if he can do it. I'm sure there will be a fight with the insurance company to get it done at vandy.

[exaussie]

son was inoperable due to distant lymph node invasion. Wasn't diagnosed until cancer had gone liver to lung to lymph nodes.
Went through 3 different chemos, took supplements, and lived life.

[dudette]

I agree with Bev G. We here as the inoperable stage IVers need badass, top-gun, big balls surgeons.

So far I am deemed inoperable. However, this is only based on the opinion of a number of oncologists and radiologist.

I don't know why I haven't done this earlier but next week (28OCT) I'm speaking with someone from a liver surgery unit. And if they say inoperable, then I have to accept it. But until then it doesn't really matter what an oncologist/radiologist/GP or whoever thinks about it. Have they ever operated on a liver? No? Thank you. Next.

[BishB]

I'm inoperable because my colon primary tumour is in an awkward place to get out and have had three surgeons confirm this.