CRC with one small liver met, low CEA

[crazylife]

My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer on Nov 6th. He had one small met to the liver (about a centimeter and a 1/2) and a few lymph nodes involved which were all removed on 11/24 at MSK. He now starts 6 months of chemo which is called Folfox. His CEA was 4.6 at diagnosis. Considering all is removed as of now can this go the curative route?

[BrownBagger]

That's increasingly likely as great strides have been made in treating CRC liver involvement. You might want to research the HAI pump offered at Sloan-Kettering in NYC. My doctor, Nancy Kemeny, is a pioneer in liver treatment. She's cured some of my good friends on this board.

Of course, as one of my doctors once remarked, "With cancer, anything is possible."

That's literally true.

My advice is to find the best doctor you can at the best treatment center and hope for the best. This is for all the marbles.

Good luck to your husband. In some ways, I wish I had liver involvement instead of the lungs, which are proving more difficult to treat effectively.

[crazylife]

Thank you. I will definitely ask his oncologist. His surgery was done at MSK by the Chief of Colorectal Surgery Julio Garcia and Dr. DeMatteo. I know we are in good hands from that perspective.

[BrownBagger]

You are in good hands. Get a referral to Dr. Kemeny and let her worry about treating the disease. You and your husband can relax and focus on staying healthy and optimistic.

Those docs at Sloan at top-notch.

[Bev G]

Hi,

It's VERY fortunate that your DH has only one liver met, which is likely resectable or can become resectable. I agree with Eric that Dr Kemeny is a great choice when there is liver involvement. I do think, however, that if the surgeons feel they can get it out now, go ahead and get it done.

Your husband has "oligometastatic" disease. In this case liver resection with "CURATIVE INTENT". I had a single metastatic tumor in my liver at the time of my diagnosis in 12/09. It was removed in 4/10. I have been cancer-free since then and was declared "cured" a couple of months ago.

Very best wishes to you both!

Bev

[crazylife]

Thanks! He did have it removed along with a foot of the colon on 11/24. We have already met with Dr. Won and she discussed he will be on Folofox every other week for 6 months. From what I understand they work together at Sloane so his treatment was determined by committee rather than just by Dr. Won. Think we should switch oncologists? Now I am wondering if maybe we need Dr. Kemeny instead.

We are hoping this is over soon. He is only 41 and we have two small children.

[BrownBagger]

Six months of Folfox is pretty standard post-operative mop-up chemo. If it comes back after that, I'd ask to see Kemeny.

Bev is one of our shinning examples of how Stage 4 CRC, despite the odds, can be cured. She's an inspiration.

[betsydoglover]

Your husband's diagnosis is just like mine was (May 2005). In my case liver met disappeared with 6 treatments of original chemo (Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin), so I never had liver resection.

I did have a lung recurrence in 11/2008 which was surgically removed in 4/2009 and I elected to do "mop up" chemo. I have had no evidence of disease since that time.

So I am 10.5 years from diagnosis, 6.75 years clean since my lung surgery and 5 years off any chemo.

While cancer can do anything, your husband stands a good chance of a cure.

Take care,

[juliej]

Agree with others that your husband has an excellent prognosis! The good thing about MSK is they will be vigilant in doing follow-ups. There is a high percentage of recurrences when it comes to liver mets so the first year or two is critical in terms of getting frequent CT scans and monitoring of CEA, LDH, etc. I go to Dr. Kemeny and agree with BrownBagger that you should keep her and the HAI pump in mind if it comes back.

[crazylife]

Thanks everyone! He has an amazing attitude so hoping that helps as well.

Did anyone do supplements or special diet? We've definitely amped up the fruits and veggies but thinking we need to do more.

[Sandy1962]

I am also one that had only 1 single liver met. I had 1 single surgery to remove rectal tumor & liver tumor and 12/23 lymph nodes. That was April 2012. I am now 3 3/4 years and still NED. I did 6 months of Folfox also. That was definately the hardest part. My CEA starting was 52 and has been under 1 since. This can definately be your husband!! Best of luck!!

[elise]

This sounds a lot like what I had. My onc, surgeon and I were all definitely going for curative and so far so good. I did FOLFOX as well.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat

Elise

[Mattie]

Hi....

Your husband's experience sounds close to mine. I also had one liver met. It disappeared with chemo after just a couple of months. It came back 3 years later and I had a resection. I had another small met pop up about a year later, and we zapped it with sbrt. I have been NED for about a year and I am coming up on my six year anniversary. I've been doing fine. Good luck to youl

[hart2hart]

Hi!

My Pete had one Liver met that was resected by Dr D'Angelica at MSKCC 10/2013. Pete has had the
HAI Pump after to PREVENT a reoccurrence. So far two year later his liver is still clear. Last scan
was 12/16/2015 (CLEAR!). IMHO I do not feel that Pete would be in this great position if we didn't do the HAI
with Dr. Kemeny. She saw 48 Patients of 12/21/2015 (She told Pete) and only had to tell one Patient
bad news!! So --- it wouldn't hurt to have a consult with her.......! Just a suggestion.........!
Happy New Year to you and your hubby!



Julie and Pete
Stamford, CT

[crazylife]

I am wondering why Dr. DeMatteo or Dr. Garcia at Sloane did not mention the HAI pump. I am thinking because the liver met was so small - he said it was about a centimeter and a 1/2. We are seeing Dr. Won now but from what I understand they work as a team and my husband's treatment was decided by committee rather than just one oncologist. Is this true?