Intra arterial chemotherapy

[Guest Kristin]

Hi-

New to the board just today--what a relief to find this! My mom was diagnosed in October 2002 with Stage 4 Lung Cancer which has metastisized to her spine, large tumor makes it very difficult to walk. She is 60 years old, teaches school, and has never been ill, so this is totally out of the blue.

In addition to radiation and chemotherapy, she is being treated with intra-arterial chemo, which is a new treatment for LC, although it has been used for other cancers.

Has anyone had any experience with IA or heard about it?

Thanks --

Kristin

[Guest]

Kristin,

Is this for her liver? Sometimes they do a hepatic aterial chemoembolism. Have never heard of this for the lung, but I surely

don't know everything.

In anycase, the chemo is delivered directly to the tumor through an artery. This will probably allow a higher dosage with hopefully less side effects, since it is being sent directly to the tumor

Best wishes

[Guest Kristin]

Hi--

Thanks for the reply--no it isn't related to the liver, just trying to shrink the spinal tumors. It is very new--we are very fortunate to have a neuroradiologist/sugrgeon who has used this to treat head and neck cancers and thinks it may work as well for lung, but since mom is the first, we don't know yet what to expect exactly. Someone has to be first, I guess--

Will post progress as it unfolds--

Kristin

[john]

Great! Heard about head and neck cancer. Sounds like you are in good hands. Some doctors wont try anything new and accept the status quo. Where/who are you seeing?

It may help others with similar situations.

Thanks

John