Re: Experimental Treatment for Liver Cancer (inoperable)?

From: J (multicenter_at_anon.anon)
Date: 06/22/04 

Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 18:18:41 -0400

"Thomas T. Veldhouse" wrote:

> Well, for anybody following this or anybody that cares, it appears that
> they are going to move forward and treat him with a six week [every
> other week] regimine of avastin. My details are sketchy at the moment,
> as they are filtered through my mother, but I believe it is actually the
> Avastin/IFL cocktail, but I have not confirmed this (I don't know why a
> doctor would do anything else, as Avastin seems to be of little benefit
> without IFL or another chemotherapy drug). There is no surgery planned
> as of yet. So, can we expect the Avastin/IFL combination to combat the
> cancer in the lymph nodes as well, or will progress there be slower, as
> I suspect?

Hello Thomas, I'm still reading and care.
If it's not combined with chemo, you may be interested in what Mike just
posted
http://tinyurl.com/2h2uk

With or without the chemo combo, I'd have some serious questions to ask
since you mentioned bleeding ulcers.
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/304_cancer.html

The IFL seems to be called the Saltz regimen. (I haven't found a list of
side effects or risks yet). And I suppose the intended dose and regimen
might be important to know.

I've seen references (while searching) to a gain of between 3 - 5 months.

I can't answer about the lymph nodes, but I'd have some questions.
Will it/they shrink the tumour?
Will it/they help with symptoms?
Will it/they prevent spread ? (which seems to be part of your question)
What will his quality of life be?
What will the costs be? (side effects, complications).
I guess only time and your father's idea of what quality of life means to
him will tell.

Here's Steph's questions to ask: (you may want them now or along the course
of the treatment)
http://tinyurl.com/vh34

Let us know how it's going.
Best,
J