Cholangiocarcinoma - Bile Duct Cancer - anyone else dealing with this?
I'm on my fourth line of treatment. What treatments are others receiving for this? Thanks ~
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Liver Cancer Support Group.
I'm on my fourth line of treatment. What treatments are others receiving for this? Thanks ~
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Liver Cancer Support Group.
I am John, living in Houston. I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma a year ago. My first indication of a problem was, "I've fallen and I can't get up" lol, just like the TV add. I went to my primary doctor, had a blood test which came back with a biomarker showing too much Calcium. A biopsy and then a PET Scan showed 3 Bile Duct Lesions. Fortunately the cancer had not spread. My Oncologist started me on Chemotherapy Infusions of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin which proved to be hard on my kidneys. I had a port implanted for the infusions. I am now on the Immunotherapy drug Imfinzi which is less toxic than chemo. These treatments have kept the cancer from spreading and the 3 lesions are shrinking. My side effects are the same for both types of treatment. For 3 days I don't want to eat or drink plain water. I'm tired, sleepy, have brain "fog", confusion, forgetfulness and muscular weakness, restless sleep and rest when needed. Lights and sounds are bothersome. I hope this helps and feel free to contact me on this forum.
Thank you Colleen. It helps to hear from others sharing their experiences. Thanks to all 🙏💕
I also have Cholangiocarcinoma and having good results with Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. I also will be glad to correspond with anyone on this forum. John
Thanks for your post. I had good results with Gemcitabine. I was taken off of Cisplatin because it was too hard on my body. My Cholangiocarcinoma did not spread and the 3 lesions are reduced in size as confirmed by PET Scans. My Oncologist has stopped the chemo and switched me to Imfinzi. Stay in touch. John
To be honest, I love the change to Imfinzi infusion once a month with nothing else but a small bag of Imfinzi taking 1 hour. With chemo it was 2 bags of chemo drugs, 2 bags of saline and 3 hours 3 times a month. I have a port which makes the infusion less painful than getting a pic needle infusion. My side effects of Imfinzi are similar to the chemo but only once a month and I am use to them. Food aversion, fatigue, brain fog, confusion, forgetfulness, trouble finding the correct spelling of words and finishing sentences. I take rest as needed. My side effects last 2 or 3 days. Stay in touch.
Hello, so happy to
hear that you have done well on the chemo for a whole year! My husband was on other chemo as they first though he had pantritic cancer. Now that it is bile duct he is scheduled to start with the same chemo and Imfinzi as you. He has been through a lot with chemo being very hard on him and then the whipple which they couldn't complete because of spreading of the cancer. Please let me know how you are doing on the new drug and are you just on the Imfinzi? With all of his side effects I think he may be only on the Imfinzi also.
My husband as been dealing with bile duct cancer starting in April. A long road, now that the Wipple was aborted, we came home with many more problems. He got a E Coli infection that was very bad on top of surgery. Two rounds of antibotics and finally IV and another 9 days of daily shots to get him over it. Then he started retaining fluid. They pumped out 7 litres of fluid, he lost 15 pounds! He is very weak and doesn't want to eat. Chemo was posponed due to his illness. Getting ready to start again Dec 30. What can I do to help him get strong enough to start chemo again?
@lozierpam54, good to hear from you and get an update on your husband’s diagnosis. With his confirmed diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer, I moved your messages to this discussion so you can connect with others like @jalewallen74 @rezmo @lovingwifeterry @billdemarco @tball3748 @reddino and others.
- Cholangiocarcinoma - Bile Duct Cancer - anyone else dealing with this? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cholangiocarcinoma-bile-duct-cancer-anyone-else-dealing-with-this
What treatments are being suggested for your husband, Pam?
I also have Cholangiocarcinoma and live in Houston. I have received Chemotherapy consisting of the drugs Cisplatin and Gemcitabine for a year. This treatment has been successful in keeping the cancer from spreading and reducing the size of the 3 lesions I have as revealed by the PET Scans. Recently my Oncologist has switched me to Immunotherapy using the drug Imfinzi which is not so hard on my kidneys and uses the bodies' own Immune System. I receive my treatments with Genesis Medical Group which is closer to my home and transportation than MD Anderson. Of course MD is the best cancer hospital in the world and my daughter used them when when she needed surgery to remove her Thyroid Cancer. Feel free to contact me at anytime on the Bile Duct Cancer forum or here.
Has anyone been to the Anderson Clinic in Houston Texas?