Kras/Braf mutations & radiotherapy response

[Alessandria]

I've recently completed chemo, followed by chemo-rad. I was told there's no known link between chemo-rad response & crc mutations, but I'm curious to hear if any of you out there with kras/braf mutation have had a very good/complete response to chemo-rad (hoping so!)

Thanks!

[Ajane]

Alexandria, My "journey" is different than most, but I thought I would let you know that I'm KRAS wild with BRAF2 mutation. I achieved a complete pathological response after an initial six weeks of Xeloda-Rad for an ultra-low tumor some 42 months ago. Although I've since had two distant recurrences, I've remained cancer free locally. Diagnosed as stage 1 initially, I had the less-invasive transanal endoscopic surgery post chemorad instead of the APR surgery. In hindsight, had I chosen the much aggressive surgery, its possible I might have been able to avoid distant recurrences.
Wishing you the best possible results, Jane

[Alessandria]

Thanks for your reply Jane. Sorry to hear about your recurrences, though your complete response to chemo-rad first time round must give you good hope for the effectiveness of your current chemo-rad treatment. My chemo-rad was on a nodal area and I'm obviously hoping that it's wiped out whatever was left of the cancer after chemo completely. My last few pet scans have been clear, though I've only had once since radio finished.

Out of interest, when you say Braf2, do you mean the usual Braf mutation, or is it different? Also, if you were initally stage 1, presuably there was no lymph involvement or emvi, so how do you think the cancer managed to spread? How would different surgery have made a difference?

Thanks again