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Ablation or excision of lesions

Posted by ncteacher @ncteacher, Jun 28, 2023

My oncologist has said virtually nothing about ablation or excision of lesions. I know my original PC tumor isn't operable because of blood vessel involvement, but now there's a suspicion that a metastasis has grown and is placing pressure on a ureter. (It's unclear from the CT whether it is a growth or scar tissue from earlier surgeries I had.) The growth appears on a CT scan, but the urologist isn't going to do anything about removing it other than installing a stent. That makes sense because the abdominal procedure would be outside the urologist's expertise and focus, but when I asked my oncologist about whether the growth could be removed surgically, he snapped "No." My question is: Have you been offered ablation or excision of abdominal lesions (metastases), or are you being told that isn't an option? What reasons are you being given for the decision to remove or not? My fear is that my oncologist (whom I'm replacing, yay!) has decided not to expend any energy on my case when we might be able to help the chemo along by excision/ablation, HIPEC or something else. FYI, I'm 70 and stage 4.

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annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Jun 30, 2023

Hi, NC teacher!
I'm glad I stumbled upon this post from you. I can't address this post, but I am delighted to hear that you got a new oncologist!! Good news!

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gardenlady1116 | @gardenlady1116 | Jul 1, 2023

Glad to hear that you have decided to change doctors. Doesn't sound like you had a good match. Doesn't mean the doctor is not an expert, just poor communication. My sister is being treated for esophageal cancer and the fellow in the oncology clinic that she was assigned to just didn't seem to get why she didn't want to come in and have a port placed, discuss treatment and give the first chemo treatment. I did some coaching with her and advised that she just put her foot down and insist on a discussion of treatment first. Fortunately, she had already been to Cleveland Clinic and got a second opinion. The treatment plans were in agreement. The fellow seems shocked that my sister would go somewhere else for a second opinion. My sister felt there were lots of discussions going on at the great and mighty University of Michigan but she was being left out of the conversation. I believe that she is much better able to understand her treatment and make informed decisions because she did respond to my advocacy efforts and seek out a second opinion.

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1 reply
annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Jul 4, 2023
In reply to @gardenlady1116 "Glad to hear that you have decided to change doctors. Doesn't sound like you had a..." + (show)
@gardenlady1116

Glad to hear that you have decided to change doctors. Doesn't sound like you had a good match. Doesn't mean the doctor is not an expert, just poor communication. My sister is being treated for esophageal cancer and the fellow in the oncology clinic that she was assigned to just didn't seem to get why she didn't want to come in and have a port placed, discuss treatment and give the first chemo treatment. I did some coaching with her and advised that she just put her foot down and insist on a discussion of treatment first. Fortunately, she had already been to Cleveland Clinic and got a second opinion. The treatment plans were in agreement. The fellow seems shocked that my sister would go somewhere else for a second opinion. My sister felt there were lots of discussions going on at the great and mighty University of Michigan but she was being left out of the conversation. I believe that she is much better able to understand her treatment and make informed decisions because she did respond to my advocacy efforts and seek out a second opinion.

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Your sister is lucky to have you to help. kudos to you!

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