Postby RBR000 » Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:19 pm
First, I have to thank you for letting me read your blog for the last several months. It has been sometimes calming, sometimes frightening, and I'm not sure where I (and we) would be right now without it. So thanks.
My brother was diagnosed in early February with Stage 4 CRC. I'm not sure I know how to speak about this intelligently, but here goes.
He was diagnosed with MSS CRC with a large primary colon tumor and more than 5 liver mets. Genetic testing shows KRAS, APC (2) and TP53 mutations. After initial diagnosis he went to MDA, saw Drs. Kopetz and Vauthey, and began chemo (not sure the specific kind, but it included Avastin).
I read so much on this blog about MSK and Dr. Kemeny (thanks to you all) and after speaking with my brother he went to NY for a consult with her. He saw Drs. Kemeny, D'Angellica and Paty, got a complete workup and has been scheduled for an HAI pump, liver and colon resection in May.
He had a follow up with Drs. Kopetz and Vauthey yesterday, scheduled after his initial MDA visit. We told them about MSK; not surprisingly they are not keen on the HAI option and apparently prefer instead colon/liver resection and participation in a PDL-1 immunotherapy trial (subject to confirmation of his eligibility).
I've read just enough about clinical trials to be dangerous, which is to say I just don't know enough and despite the information here and elsewhere, I (we) don't know what to do: MDA and PDL-1 trial or MSK and HAI.
If anyone has any specific advice, we'd sure appreciate it.
Again, I'm really very grateful for all of the information that you guys share here, and for the support that this community offers.
Thanks very much,
R