Would love to hear of experiences treating lymphovascular invasion

Posted by davebross @davebross, Mar 12 9:04am

I would love to hear of anyone's experience treating lympho vascular invasion. My surgery to remove stage 3 tumor (5.5 cm) was successful. Clear margins and no malignancy in 43 lymph nodes. I'm waiting to meet with oncologist, but want to research options/prepare myself. Thanks, in advance!

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sherryann56 | @sherryann56 | Mar 13 9:14am

Back in 2013 when I was first diagnosed with co-rectal cancer I took treatment first before the APR surgery . Etopiside and Cisplatin along with radiation treatments at the same time. After the treatments a year later it came back . Taking chemo and radiation at the same time was rough but I got through it. After it came back I had APR surgery 7 lymph nodes were removed at that time of surgery 3 of those 7 lymph nodes had cancer cells in them and it matasis to lungs . I was started on opdivo and Yervoy but the side effects to those two immunotherapy gave me an allergic reaction . They were discontinued and the put my on keytruda and I have been on Keytruda ever since. I didn't have no hair loss with keytruda , no nausea just dry mouth. A dose every two weeks for several weeks till you go in remission then it's stopped and Pet scan every 3 months . When I come out of remission keytruda is started back up and so is radiation treatments

davebross | @davebross | Mar 13 10:00am

Thank you for sharing! So it sounds like management with immunotherapy. Have they used ctDNA for management?

sherryann56 | @sherryann56 | Mar 14 8:56am

In reply to @davebross "Thank you for sharing! So it sounds like management with immunotherapy. Have they used ctDNA for..." + (show)

Yes, they have.

roywalton | @roywalton | Mar 15 5:37am

CTDNA has advanced significantly just in the past 6 six months. Although the currently utilized Guardant ctDNA has great benefit, and is leaps and bounds ahead of CEA, a new ctDNA test, which is made (informed) by your own tumor cells, SIGNATERA, if far better. And can inform the doctor of the existence of recurring cancer a full 9 months before a CT can pick it up. Ask your oncologist about this new test. It is covered by Medicare and insurance

davebross | @davebross | Mar 15 9:38am

Would you happen to know why it's better than the Guardant test? Unfortunately United health care doesn't cover it, but I may appeal. Thanks for the recommendation.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 17 8:22pm

@davebross, have you met with your oncologist in the meantime? What are next steps for you?

davebross | @davebross | Mar 17 9:59pm

Thanks for asking. We meet tomorrow. Based on my research, anticipating Folfox regimen, either 8 or 16 weeks.

cjay | @cjay | Mar 21 10:55pm

In reply to @roywalton "CTDNA has advanced significantly just in the past 6 six months. Although the currently utilized Guardant..." + (show)

@roywalton, @davebross
The Signatera test is not currently covered by any insurance, so even thought they send a bill, they don’t expect payment. They are covering the cost themselves for the time being. So there is no cost to the patient at all.
I recently had my test for the bio markers and genetic mutations, by Altera and Empower.

roywalton | @roywalton | Mar 21 11:00pm

In reply to @cjay "@roywalton, @davebross The Signatera test is not currently covered by any insurance, so even thought they..." + (show)

Hi - United Healthcare/Medicare Advantage insurance is covering the cost. The firm is not performing the test at no cost

cjay | @cjay | Mar 22 12:20am

In reply to @roywalton "Hi - United Healthcare/Medicare Advantage insurance is covering the cost. The firm is not performing the..." + (show)

They may be, but I have BCBS, and it is not covering it. And it was explained to me that most insurance does not cover it yet, and no patients are expected to pay the billing.