Interventional Radiologist

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BonnieVA
BonnieVA Member Posts: 118
edited April 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My last scan showed a new lesion on my liver, so my Onc. decided that it was time to see an Interventional Radiologist.  The thought is that my bones are stable, but we can't seem to keep the liver stable.  This new doctor will decide whether I am a good candidate for Radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, or Theraspheres.  I kind of feel like the deer in the head lights.  The idea that the chemos can't seem to stop the cancer in the liver is scaring me to the point that I can not think.  What do I need to know to make the best decision?  What should I be asking this doctor?  How much hospital time is involved, and what are the side effects?  I know that I am rambling, but I just feel so overwhelmed.  The Radiologist is Dr. Drooz of Fairfax, Virginia.  Has anyone seen him?

 Bonnie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    I have not seen your doc, but I have been treated by Interventional Radiologist before. Basically they use radiology(x-ray, u/s, CT) to guide them in doing procedures from outside the body. All of my procedures have been outpatient. I found a lot of info on Dr. Alain Drooz of Fairfax just by googling him. Here is a link to info on radiofrequency ablation of the liver.

    Interestingly, I will be in Arlington, VA for chemo at the Virginia Hospital Center tomorrow. I will be in a clinical trial there. That is close to Fairfax. What hospital will you be going to? 

    Bette 

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  • BonnieVA
    BonnieVA Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2009

    Hi Bette,

    I think Dr. Drooz works out of Fairfax Hospital.  Tomorrow I will be seeing him at his office.

    Have you had much sucess with interventinal Radiology?

    Bonnie

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  • X3sMom
    X3sMom Member Posts: 214
    edited August 2009

    Bonnie,

    Times3 had two tumors left in her liver after chemo. Her onc sent her to a radiologist (in Evansville, IN.) to have the radiofrequency ablation done. Her next PET six weeks later, showed her NED.  Sorry, I don't know anything about the other two treatments.

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  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited August 2009

    I had the Theraspheres radiation at Johns Hopkins done by Dr. Jean-Francois Geschwind (a French cutie).  He is an interventional radiologist who is very cutting edge with radiation tx's for metastatic cancers.

    Robin 

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  • BonnieVA
    BonnieVA Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2009

    Update:

    In about 2-3 weeks if all goes well with muga scan and EKG, the doctor will perform a chemoembolization on the right side of my liver.  Then a month later he will do the left side.  After that, he will go back in if he needs to, and perform radiofrequency ablation on any remaining spots.  I am exhausted just thinking about it.  Has anyone had success with this?  Robin, did the therasphere clean up your liver, and for how long?  What was interesting, is that on the right lobe the tumor had cut off its own blood supply and was shrinking.  The bad part was the Dr did a sonogram of the liver and found small lesions on the left lobe that the cat scan did not pick up.  He said that either they are not active, or they are just starting up.  I would really like to hear how other individuals faired through this.

     Thanks for all the help and support,

    Bonnie 

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  • luvtotravel
    luvtotravel Member Posts: 933
    edited August 2009

    Bonnie,

    Like Robin Wendy, I also had Therapheres but at Northwest University in Chicago with Dr. Riad Salem.  I am very happy with the results since I had too many lesions for any other option.  My right lobe at 2 months stayed stable with no chemo.  My left lobe lesions shrunk significantly at one month out from treatment.  I will be checked again in 2 months.  Theraspheres is supposed to peak at at 3-4 months so I hope they shrink further.  The treatment has allowed me to be off chemo for the last three months with no progression.  I am eligiable to have it done again and I definately will.  It is all about "buying time" for me since I WILL live to see my daughter graduate from high school.  (She is 14). 

    Lydia

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  • Ailurophile
    Ailurophile Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2019

    lydia cheers to your life! YOU LIVE AND YOU WILL see her success and happiness. I know it💗

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