xman
New User
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Chicago
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 Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject: Help my brother |
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Reading this forum has been incredibly informative, and inspiring at times. My prayers and sympathy go to all those who are suffering and seeking solutions, and I would like to thank those many for providing moral support. I would also like to thank you for reading my story and appreciate very much you input, anything.....
My brother, who is now 41, lives in China and has been having stomach pain for over a month. He is also experiencing constipation, deformed stool. No stool blood, no blood in urine. Urine test was normal, blood test, liver test and ultrasound (liver, gall bladder and spleen) were all normal. Colonoscopy found mass 25 inches from anus. Biopsy pathology indicated transverse colon adenocarcinoma with abnormal growth III and localized malignancy. CT scan did not indicate any abnormality and barium enema found 1.2 inch x 1.2 inch mass in transverse colon. It was therefore diagnosed as early stage transverse colon cancer and operation was to be performed. During the operation (Sep-27-2005) diffusive metastasis was found, a tumor of the size of 3.2 inch by 3.6 inch was found behind jejunum. Additionally, two masses of lumps were found in pelvis. Small tumor lumps were found in mesentery and a 2 inch by 2.4 inch tumor was also found in transverse colon. No metastasis was observed in liver yet. Tumor-removal could not be carried out. They closed him up and a sample of the mass was taken out for biopsy, diagnosed as stomach wall metastatic adenocarcinoma.
We haven't told him that he is in late stage, trying not to devastate his spirit.
Recommended treatments from the doctor are as follows and due to start from October 10th:
5-FU/LV + Eloxatin or
5-FU/LV or
5-FU/LV + Oxaliplatin
Questions:
1. Where is the possible tumor source? (Is it really colorectal cancer, or the tumor could be originated from small intestine?)
2. If it is most likely colon cancer, what stage it possibly is (Stage III or IV, does the metastasis in the mesentery and pelvis qualify it for stage IV even it hasn?t spead to liver and other distal organs)?
3. Is surgical removal of the tumor impossible at this stage?
4. What should be the best chemotherapy (5-FU/LV alone or 5-FU/LV + eloxatin(FolFox))?
5. Are there any new chemo agents (Avastin, Tarceva?) and how accessible they are here since they are not yet available in China and extremely expensive.
6. What are some of the common agents to battle possible infection from surgery and drugs that can help curtail the severe side-effects of chemotherapy that could be available.
7. What are the drugs that can?t absolutely taken?
8. We are thinking about using some herb medicines as adjuvant treatment to help improve the patient?s resistance and recovery. What?s your opinion on that and when should we start it (during chemo, after chemo)? Best guess please.
9. Any clinical trials ongoing that we might be able to participate (Hongkong, for example)?
10. Any other known international institutes or organizations located in China or Hongkong that we might get help from? |
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