Iblation of liver lesion or not??

[Hopedog1]

I have a single 7mm liver lesion. One oncologist says ablation is risky and to leave alone as ibrance might keep it stable for some time. Another oncologist thinks I should have iblation done. So confused. What are peoples experiences/views on ablation of liver tumours- is it risky? What are the benefits? What is the best type of ablation (sabr has been mentioned to me)? There isn’t much research info on it in the uk and w don’t know what to do for the best

[Gonnawin]

I'm not sure what ablation is as related to the liver, but I'm going to ask my onc....I have new (as of 4 months ago) to the liver, but they did internal radiation. I don't know the results as of yet. Early July I'll have liver MRI. I'm interested to know though if ablation is better and/or easier on the body? Please let us know what other info or research you find? Hoping the best for you! 🌺

[Hopedog1 in reply to Gonnawin]

Hi. Thanks for replying. Are u in the USA? I haven’t heard of internal radiation - maybe they are the same thing? What did your treatment involve? I will try to find out more and if you do too I’d be grateful for any information. Keep well. Thank u

[Gonnawin in reply to Hopedog1]

Yes, I am in the US. The internal radiation I had was referred to as radiation "beads", inserted thru the groin, into the affected area of the liver. It was a 2 step procedure, first was "mapping" the area of the liver, then about a month later was the actual radiation inserted thru a very tiny tube into the liver (again, from the groin). Groin soreness was about the worst part of that procedure. I hope you are able to find out more info from your onc as well. This is all I know about it from my own experience. Wishing you well my friend!

🌺

[Hopedog1 in reply to Gonnawin]

I haven’t heard of that procedure here in the Uk. Thank you for the information- I hope to see a liver specialist soon and will discuss this with them. Kind Regards

[POPS60 in reply to Hopedog1]

Hi, I too have lesions in my liver and I am in the UK . The beads treatment has not been approved by NICE yet for us unfortunately . However it is available privately I believe as I have been looking myself and found someone in Manchester if you are interested I can send you the details. Xx

[Hopedog1 in reply to POPS60]

Hi there. That would be amazing if you could share their details with me please. Have you discussed any ablation options for the liver with your oncologist- is there anything they are recommending? Any info on options would be gratefully received 🙏. Thank you

[POPS60 in reply to Hopedog1]

Hi , Dr Greg Wilson is the doctor ar Manchester and it is SIRT that he does. drgregwilson.co.uk/

I am waiting to see what my next scans show after a change of treatment to everolomus and exemestane as I have a few small lesions and 2 lesions of 1cm.

It's so difficult to know what to do until it. I know my shropshire area health authority will not fund it for me, as I have enquired about it .😏

[Hopedog1 in reply to POPS60]

Thank you so much for the Drs details. Like you I am finding it difficult to get information and support for ablation here in Northern Ireland. I hope your results are good and you can get some the treatment you want. Take care

[shenette28 in reply to Hopedog1]

I just the same procedure yesterday. It’s call the Y90 treatment. My mapping was in May and my first treatment was yesterday and my next treatment is next month. I became a candidate for this treatment because a 3rd lesion appeared in February. I was told that since Ibrance was keeping the first 2 lesions stable then leave it be. I went for a second option to the best hospital in Chicago, Northwestern Memorial and he then said if it’s not broke then do fix it. But when the 3rd lesion appeared he said now it’s broke which meant the ibrance didn’t stop the 3rd lesion from coming so yes the Y90 treatment is a good choice. Many blog have said that most people have actually gone into remission from this treatment or that their tumor marker had gone down sufficiently. I’m praying for great results. Hope this was of help.

[Missmaddie615 in reply to shenette28]

If you don’t mind me asking, who did you see at Northwestern?

[shenette28 in reply to Missmaddie615]

Dr. Gradishar

[Missmaddie615 in reply to shenette28]

I have heard wonderful things about him! May this treatment work the best for you and that you get great results! Blessings to you! 🙏

[Hopedog1 in reply to shenette28]

That is fantastic- I’m so glad you are getting this treatment. So to clarify- like you I have 2 mets. My oncologist at this point thinks I should leave them alone whilst they are stable. Is this what was recommended to you? However I wonder if I got the single liver tumour ablated would this give me a disease free period. This is the key question for me - act now or wait until things change a little?

[Hidden]

Hi Hopedog1 -

I'm so sorry for what you're dealing with...esp. re: the conflicting advice...

Here's my two-cents, coming from someone who hasn't yet dealt with what you're dealing with...

I'm on team "ablation"? E.g, what are the risks they're concerned about? I guess my go-to stance is kill the cancer/mets, unless it really doesn't make sense not to?

Again, just my two-cents, worth only that much.

Wishing you the best with your decision and health...

Lynn

[Hopedog1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lynn. I think some patients have had major side effects/cancer progression after the procedure as you have to come off your meds for a while. Tough decision 😫 so thank you for your view - that’s the way I always felt about it

[jersey-jazz in reply to Hopedog1]

I did not goof any meds.

[jersey-jazz in reply to jersey-jazz]

I must correct myself. First of all, the above was meant to read, " I did not go off any meds." The fact of the matter is that the drugs were changed from Letrozol to Faslodex. I did not, however, stop medication because of the ablation. Go for it, Girl!

[Hopedog1 in reply to jersey-jazz]

Hi there- that’s good news re meds. Are you happy to share your experience of the procedure with me? What type of ablation did u have done? How many liver lesions did you have? We’re there any side effects? Was your oncologist keen to do the procedure- what are the benefits/risks? Thank you 🙏

[jersey-jazz in reply to Hopedog1]

The first reply I sent about my microwave ablation does not seem to have been printed. A large cancerous tumor was removed in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC by a talented, caring Interventional Radiologist. It was a fine job, well done. They kept me in the hospital for two nights probably because of my age or because I did not stop using the button for the pain medication. The pain was completely gone in a few days. I now have more, much smaller lesions in another part of my liver. They will not remove them by microwave ablation because they are systemic. You. may ask, "Wasn't the first one systemic?. I self diagnosed the lesion in the liver as being oligometastic and the doctors concurred. I have no knowledge of the risks because I had read up on it and discounted it all in favor of microwave ablation. Good luck with you decision!

[Hopedog1 in reply to jersey-jazz]

Thank you so much for all this invaluable information. It it’s much appreciated. Wishing you all the best

[PJBinMI]

If neither of the oncs you have seen specializes in breast cancer, getting a third opinion from a highly specialized onc at a major cancer center could help illuminate your path! I have no idea how easy that would be in the UK ..... I hope you will be able to get clearer recommendations and can feel peaceful about the next step in your treatment.

[Hopedog1 in reply to PJBinMI]

Yes I agree- that is definitely my next step I think so that I can get some more specialised advice

[Mamacass67]

Hiya,

I live in the UK & was referred to Kings Hosp in London. I had numerous liver tumors & initially was going to have SIRT (selective internal radiation therapy) which I believe is the same as Y-90? Funding was approved by my primary care Trust but I'd had such a significant improvement on chemo beforehand that Kings decided to do RFA (radio frequency ablation) which I've had 3 times now & no tumors in the liver since. Cyberknife at The Royal Marsden could also be an option, ask for a second opinion?

[Hopedog1 in reply to Mamacass67]

That’s amazing- so reassuring to hear how well you have responded to treatment. Thank you 🙏

[Hopedog1 in reply to Mamacass67]

Hi again- I’m meant to ask, is there a consultant/specialist at kings you could give me the details of please. Who did your procedure etc. I live in Northern Ireland but I think it is worth perhaps pursuing a private appointment

[Mamacass67 in reply to Hopedog1]

Hi,

I can't remember the name off hand but Google Kings hosp liver specialists, they're all excellent up there.

[Hopedog1 in reply to Mamacass67]

Thank you - I’ll do that

[Missmaddie615]

Hi Hopedog -I was in a similar situation as you. I had an oncologist that wanted to remove my 8 mm lesion and one oncologist that did not. The first oncologist thought that I was oligometastic and that’s why it was suggested by her. The other oncologist did more testing and found out that cancer was also in my sternum and some lymph nodes, so she recommended against removing it from the liver, cuz it was already in other areas and she wanted to treat the cancer systemically. That’s just my experience with the doctors that I have dealt with. Whatever your decision is -may the treatment work the best for you -Take care and blessings to you!

[Hopedog1 in reply to Missmaddie615]

Yes we are indeed in a very similar situation. Did your oncologist feel there would be absolutely no benefit in doing ablation even though you only had a few areas of spread? Hard to know what the benefits are - maybe systemic treatment is the best approach? My oncologist hasn’t given me much information. Keep well

[Missmaddie615 in reply to Hopedog1]

My oncologist didn’t say that there would be absolutely no benefit from it, so I am keeping it in my back pocket. She just felt that since I had cancer in other areas of my body, I should be treated systemically. Right now I’m doing really well on my treatment, Praise be to God! Why rock the boat? But if things progress, I will bring this up again to her. Again, this is just my experience with my oncologist.

[Hopedog1 in reply to Missmaddie615]

I’m so pleased you are doing well. I think that is my oncologists view as well - don’t rush to do something when things are stable. Keep well. Thank you

[Missmaddie615 in reply to Hopedog1]

When you speak with the liver specialist, she/he will be able to answer your questions and shed some more light on this for you. Please keep us updated on what the liver specialist says. Take care -Blessings to you!

[jersey-jazz]

Dear Hopedog1-----This is my thinking on your situation after mulling for a few days. If they are willing to do an ablation, for pity's sake, let them remove it! Down the road, if you get more cancer, they may declare it too far gone (systemic) for ablation which is exactly what has happened to me.

[Hopedog1]

Thank you - I do feel the same way, just want rid of it! Have been referred to a liver specialist so I will see what they say