Shrinkage!!!

Stacie !
Thank you for the contact to Sara .
The professor who is my fother's therapy leader has been to the ASCO meeting in Chicago - so we've got information at first hand . I'll try to write something more  about the therapy and precise results  after consultation  with doctor .
Greetings
Anna

We've just receive results of CT after 3 months of taking sorafenib - they are really marvelous:
" In comparison to the CT scan on the day of 12.05.2007 size and number of lesions in liver and size and number of increased lymph nodes ( above head of pacreas and in the area of diaphragm ) without changes . It is necessary to pay attention on weaker saturation after dosing contrast medium - regression? . Despite image of CT scan of abdominal cavity without changes . "
My father is taking two pills of sorafenib twice a day . Despite the itching and skin irritation there is no side effects .
Father is after two operetions and two cykles of standard chemo - cisplatinum with some admixtures . First operation in 2005  he had a resection of a tumor situated just in the center of a liver , and cisplatin sessions after .
10.2006  after the CEA ( up to standard )  and Ca19-9 ( 79 ) checkup , he took referral for tomography and MR . Despite the suspition of bile ducts hamartoma , and fatty degeneration there were three areas of abnormal contrast intensification . First one (diameter 32mm ) was near liver vein , second one ( ~10mm) was in VII segment and third one (30mm) was situated marginal in II segment .
After the second operation the histopatology has shown that rate of malignacy of the tumor decreased from the G3 class to G2.
Three months after operation reccurence occured . Dad is under prof. Szczylik's care . After the first session of Sorafenib   there was a shrinkage . After two following months we are really really happy becouse of the slow death of tumor .
My father is unusually , extreamly mantally and phisically strong man . And J hope we are good suppert for him .
Best wishes
Anna

It's rather irritating than painful. It looks like dilated capillaries on his face ( like blushing )  an really dry skin on hands and legs - skin is peeling off - but it's rather cosmetic than medical problem .  He also has a problem with greater sweating . Everything is bearable , and to be perfectly candid - the longer the therapy last - the better .
You have to be tough - results will come sooner or later :):)
Anna

Hi!  Caroline Stoufer of Colorado here.  I've been  really busy with the  summer season in our tourist town, that I've just been blogging. and hadn't had time for the discussion group.  Also my new chemo regimen can really knock me out which means I can't do as much work.   But I'm back!

I am on FOLFOX and have been for 9 treatments.   It seems to be working as my last two CT scans this summer show the  12 tumors in my liver as stab;e.  A good friend of ours with colon cancer did it for six ttreatments  and  was pronounced stable.  FOLFOX does take it's toll on the soft tissues of the head.l  I have a huge hole in my septem, my esophagus gets sore and  I drink aloe juice for that.  I worry that it's killing brain cells and I seem to have chemo brain a lot. I have side effects for which I take a multitude of rx drugs and vitamins.  Anyone out there done SIRT spheres?  I'm looking at this treatment for down the road.  I found a really good doctor that does it.

All for now.  Hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected.  My prayers are for all of us and our loved ones and caregivers.

Sincerely, Caroline Stoufer of Ouray, Colorado

PS  I did the Sorafenib trial  in the spring of 2006, but it didn't work for me.  Good luck to those of you giving it a go.  Stay out of the sun which can aggravate it.

Hello Caroline, it was nice to see you post. I

Caroline,

I am so pleased that folfox is working for you.  I have read your blog - it is truly inspirational, and it comes through your postings that you are a very courageous woman who is determined to live her life to the full in spite of the obstacles that this disease sometimes throws at you.  Obviously you draw great strength from your family and friends who surround you with love and support, I admire you all greatly.

lots of love, Jules