Did you have with chemo/radiation prior to distal bile duct surgery?

Posted by demooretucson @demooretucson, Jul 20 11:36am

Anyone familiar with chemo (Capecitabine tablets)/radiation prior to distal bile duct surgery?

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Is anyone preparing for or recently completed bile duct surgery for cholangiocarcinoma? Would appreciate your insights. My preparation includes three to five weeks of oral chemo (capecitabine) and radiation.

Thanks -- Dan

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@demooretucson I took Capecitabine for bile duct cancer. I had a total of 34 rounds of radiation (M-F, 2x day am/pm sessions) & at the same time took Capecitabine in the morning and in the evening 12 hrs apart. Had mild side affects but was ever sure if it was from radiation or tables. I got nausea but took medicine before radiation session and that took care of it. I didn't loose my hair. I followed the recommendations to use moisturizer on hands and feet and never had dryness issues. My appetite diminished, so had to make sure I was getting enough protein. I had some fatigue as well but manged to work remotely while going through the treatment so it was manageable. Let me know if you have any other questions. Wishing you the best in your health journey.

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@demooretucson, I hope you saw the helpful post from @berta929. I'm also tagging fellow members @tball3748 @mngardenaddict @lisamb @lorid01 @lori777 who have had bile duct surgery for cholangiocarcinoma and who can share their experiences and tips for recovery.

@demooretucson, how are you doing on chemo and radiation? Have you had testing yet to see if the tumor has shrunk enough for surgery?

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@berta929

@demooretucson I took Capecitabine for bile duct cancer. I had a total of 34 rounds of radiation (M-F, 2x day am/pm sessions) & at the same time took Capecitabine in the morning and in the evening 12 hrs apart. Had mild side affects but was ever sure if it was from radiation or tables. I got nausea but took medicine before radiation session and that took care of it. I didn't loose my hair. I followed the recommendations to use moisturizer on hands and feet and never had dryness issues. My appetite diminished, so had to make sure I was getting enough protein. I had some fatigue as well but manged to work remotely while going through the treatment so it was manageable. Let me know if you have any other questions. Wishing you the best in your health journey.

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Dear Berta929 -- Many thanks for your very helpful comments. My upcoming treatment appears identical except a total of 28 rounds of radiation instead of 34.

Warm regards -- Dan

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@colleenyoung

@demooretucson, I hope you saw the helpful post from @berta929. I'm also tagging fellow members @tball3748 @mngardenaddict @lisamb @lorid01 @lori777 who have had bile duct surgery for cholangiocarcinoma and who can share their experiences and tips for recovery.

@demooretucson, how are you doing on chemo and radiation? Have you had testing yet to see if the tumor has shrunk enough for surgery?

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Dear Colleen/All --

Diagnosis -- distal cholangiocarcinoma, borderline resectable.

Initial treatment -- 10 infusions of gemcitabine, abraxine, and CISplatin are complete.

Next phase -- 28 rounds of oral chemo/radiation before surgery.

The Mayo Rochester surgeon believes this oral chemo/radiation treatment may allow him to avoid a Whipple.

I greatly appreciate any personal insights into the surgery, initial recovery, and life after the surgery.

Dan

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@colleenyoung

@demooretucson, I hope you saw the helpful post from @berta929. I'm also tagging fellow members @tball3748 @mngardenaddict @lisamb @lorid01 @lori777 who have had bile duct surgery for cholangiocarcinoma and who can share their experiences and tips for recovery.

@demooretucson, how are you doing on chemo and radiation? Have you had testing yet to see if the tumor has shrunk enough for surgery?

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They did surgery with ablation immediately to remove the tumor, and then I had 6 months of chemo on gem/cis.

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@lori777

They did surgery with ablation immediately to remove the tumor, and then I had 6 months of chemo on gem/cis.

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Thanks Lori777.

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