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Colon cancer

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:49 am
by fwregnery
Hello,

In early June of 2016 I was diagnosed with BRAF colon cancer (fastest growing and most difficult to treat) which had metasticized to my liver with 23 lesions.Four oncologists gave me 6-12 months and said surgery would be impossible.I would not allow myself to believe this.

I started wkith Folfox and Avastin every other week with an infusion bag for two days.Heavy doses.The only side effect was I did not have was nausua.

It was extremley important to keep my weight up regardless of what I ate.I had gone from 160-pre-cancer to 140 in June of 2016.Within three months I was at 163.A lot of ensure, ice cream and coffee cake.They took 12 inches from my colon because there was a blockage so I had to wait six weeks for the chemo treatments.The tumors grew and Folfox started.12 treatments then my blood platlets got too low and neuropathy set in but not bad.This is common for Oxiplatin which is included in Folfox.Then Folfiri and the only difference was oxiplatin is rel\placed with Irintecan.Eight more treatments.

All the while my daughter was doing research.She like myself would not accept what the oncologists were telling us.After four months the tumors were almost 1/2 of their original size.My Daughter contacted John Hopkins in Baltimore and the liver surgeon.That hospital and Sloan Kettering if you have cancer especially colon are the best in the U.S. for certain.

My appointment was set for April.My oncologist thought it was a waste of time.Doctor He,the surgeon at Hopkins took a cat scan and immeadiatly said I was a canidate for a resection.if cancer was also outside my liver they would not have operated.A few days later the team at Hopkins wanted an MRI.Same results as the cat scans.I had to wait six weeks to get most of the chemo of of my system then the operation was performed on May 18th.I was told by many if and when surgery was an option 40% of my liver neeed to be replaced.Doctor He removed 10% and of the 23 lesions 22 were dead and the 23 was almost dead and was removed.I am now cancer free.

The moral of the story is never believe your oncologist if he says resection is impossible.If colon cancer use the same drugs as I outlined then make an appointment with Doctor He at John Hopkins.In my case it was the difference between life or death.

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 4:04 pm
by Lee
fwregnery wrote:The moral of the story is never believe your oncologist if he says resection is impossible.If colon cancer use the same drugs as I outlined then make an appointment with Doctor He at John Hopkins.In my case it was the difference between life or death.


Hi and welcome.

Yes to the above statement. Onc should NOT offer surgeon type opinions and surgeon's should NOT offer Onc type opinions. 2nd (and ever 3rd) opinions are always a good idea especially when dealing with a stage IV diagnoses. And yes you do have to be your own advocate.

Glad you were able to get the surgery. Sounds like you have a wonderful daughter. Always good to have support team on your side.

When you can, find an exercise that you enjoy and stick with it. In recent years they have found exercise can reduce the chance of a recurrence by up to 50%.

Take care of yourself and welcome.

Lee

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 4:23 pm
by DarknessEmbraced
Congratulations on being cancer free! :D

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:43 pm
by Forsythia
Wonderful story and advice - especially great to hear on Father's Day. Congratulations and thanks for sharing here! :D

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:28 pm
by rp1954
Thanks for your post. People need to know that "death sentences" may often be overturned. To me, the lesson is to achieve adequate intensity of chemo and immune modulation to get enough response to become resectable by upper tier or world class surgeons. And be your own advocate.

As for the specific chemo, there are adjuncts for KRAS/BRAF mutant cells with higher therapeutic index and less side effects, but they are not highly profitable or generally accepted in the USSA. In our situation, somewhat different, we reduced the chemo gap from 6 weeks to 1 day with good chemo activity by using a different 5FU drug for KRAS mutants and milder VEGF-A reduction agents.

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 12:48 pm
by sdino
fw - Great News !

rp1954 - quick question, when u have time ... what does this refer to "a different 5FU drug for KRAS mutants and milder VEGF-A reduction agents" ?
thanks, sdino

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:05 pm
by mct
Good for you and your daughter for persevering. We always assume that doctors know best....but, clearly, not always.

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 12:41 am
by rom_a
Thank you veyr much for the inspiring thread.

My mom (71YO) has a BRAF cancer stage 4 with 1 small met at her liver. She is going to do exactly the same therapy of Avastin + FOLF.

Do you know what type of BRAF mutation you have had (MSI-H or MSS)?

Any other advise? our Oncologists are not positive.

We are based in Tel-Aviv, Israel.


fwregnery wrote:Hello,

In early June of 2016 I was diagnosed with BRAF colon cancer (fastest growing and most difficult to treat) which had metasticized to my liver with 23 lesions.Four oncologists gave me 6-12 months and said surgery would be impossible.I would not allow myself to believe this.

I started wkith Folfox and Avastin every other week with an infusion bag for two days.Heavy doses.The only side effect was I did not have was nausua.

It was extremley important to keep my weight up regardless of what I ate.I had gone from 160-pre-cancer to 140 in June of 2016.Within three months I was at 163.A lot of ensure, ice cream and coffee cake.They took 12 inches from my colon because there was a blockage so I had to wait six weeks for the chemo treatments.The tumors grew and Folfox started.12 treatments then my blood platlets got too low and neuropathy set in but not bad.This is common for Oxiplatin which is included in Folfox.Then Folfiri and the only difference was oxiplatin is rel\placed with Irintecan.Eight more treatments.

All the while my daughter was doing research.She like myself would not accept what the oncologists were telling us.After four months the tumors were almost 1/2 of their original size.My Daughter contacted John Hopkins in Baltimore and the liver surgeon.That hospital and Sloan Kettering if you have cancer especially colon are the best in the U.S. for certain.

My appointment was set for April.My oncologist thought it was a waste of time.Doctor He,the surgeon at Hopkins took a cat scan and immeadiatly said I was a canidate for a resection.if cancer was also outside my liver they would not have operated.A few days later the team at Hopkins wanted an MRI.Same results as the cat scans.I had to wait six weeks to get most of the chemo of of my system then the operation was performed on May 18th.I was told by many if and when surgery was an option 40% of my liver neeed to be replaced.Doctor He removed 10% and of the 23 lesions 22 were dead and the 23 was almost dead and was removed.I am now cancer free.

The moral of the story is never believe your oncologist if he says resection is impossible.If colon cancer use the same drugs as I outlined then make an appointment with Doctor He at John Hopkins.In my case it was the difference between life or death.

Re: Colon cancer

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:35 am
by Mercy110
It is always encouraging to hear such story. My um is a stage 4 patient with multiple lung mets. We rely want her to undergo surgery but the onco said it is not possible temporarily. We did ask for second opinion from other onco and got the same reply. So she is now undergoing folfox with Avastin. The main problem is the tiredness she felt.
It is unfortunate that we are not US citizen and not living in US. We are not very rich family as well. Thats why there are nearly no ways for multiple lung mets to be operated here in HK. I wish we can find a way soon to remove cancer cells from her body so that she can remain cancer free...