Newly diagnosed with treatment question-- cryoablation

AngelSunshine

Hi everyone -- I am grateful for this forum and the strength and compassion of all of you. It has helped me greatly so far.

I was diagnosed via core needle biopsy about a month ago with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (right breast). The tumor is about 1.1 centimeters and is relatively low-grade (Grade 1) with a Ki-67 of 9; Nottingham score of 4. It is highly estrogen receptor positive (>95%) and progesterone receptor positive 65%; HER2 negative. 

I am 54 years old with no history of cancer.

The problem is, I have relatively severe liver damage from past hepatitis C, and resultant acute kidney failure. I was in the hospital for >40 days earlier this year with the renal failure which has mostly resolved for now. However, no one will treat my breast cancer because I am not a candidate for surgery/lumpectomy (bleeding risk due to liver damage, and potential damage of anesthesia). I am also not a candidate for chemo or radiation due to liver and kidney toxicity. So I am taking anastrozole (ugggh.... nasty side effects!) for now, and nothing else has been done or is being planned.

From what my medical oncologist said last time I saw her, she believes I will die of liver failure before I would die of breast cancer. She almost  literally said that. Well, not on my watch.

I really need to get this cancer out of me! Now to my question -- do any of you have any direct experience with cryoablation of breast tumor? I have read some things about it here and other online sites, and it seems like it might be a good option for me. Perhaps the only option. But I know it is experimental.

Does anyone have any information about a clinic/doctor who does this in the US? I am in the Midwest but willing to travel anywhere in the US. 

Thank you so much for any info ~

Angel

JosieO

Angel,

Dr. Linsey Gold of Comprenhensive Breast Care, Troy, Mi was enrolled in the initial trial of cyroblation back when it was a programin 2014. She is a very skilled breast cancer surgeon with a caring, compassionate heart. I am a patient of the practice (although Dr. Gold is not my treating doctor) and I would certainly recommending contacting her. Not sure if she is currently using, but she is very well-connected and would know resources.

Best wishes.

SpecialK

Sorry you find yourself in this predicament. I know there were some earlier threads regarding cryoablation, so I just typed that into the search feature. Here are some links

http://www.williamscancerinstitute.com/

This is a clinical trial that is ongoing but not currently recruiting, however the centers listed at the bottom have the capability to do cryoablation. You may have success if you contact them and present your case. If this is not something they offer routinely you may be able to sign a liability waiver to receive treatment.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00723294

You might check the University of Arizona Cancer Center, it appears that they offer cryoablation for some cases of breast cancer.

The Everett Clinic in Washington, Southcoast Health in Massachusetts, Jefferson University Hospital in Pennsylvania, and Providence St.Johns Hospital in California all offer cryoablation for breast fibroadenoma and may be worth contacting to see if they can help you.

AngelSunshine

Thanks SO much to both of you. I'll give these a shot and if nothing else, maybe I can get more information. I really appreciate it