My mother is 80 years old and was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer over 2 years ago (July 2020). The cancer was discovered following an autopsy on her gallbladder, which was removed due to severe pain. There were no other symptoms like jaundice present at the time. She was told that the cancer was caught relatively early, but, upon further imaging and blood tests, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to several lymph nodes and parts of the liver.
My mom went through another round of surgery to remove part of her liver, which had shown cancer-like lesions. Biopsy results on the removed liver tissue revealed NO sign of cancer! Since then, she has gone through several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Specifically, her chemotherapy regimen was as follows:
- Gemcitabine and cisplatin
- Gemcitabine + cisplatin + durvalumab (Topaz study)
- Oxaliplatin + 5-FU
Her body has had various reactions to the therapies above. After nearly six months of therapy with the Topaz study meds, her cancer was still growing, as evidenced by cancer antigen (CA 19-9) blood test and liver MRI. The lesions in the liver have not been positively identified as cancer (too small to biopsy). However, their mere existence, coupled with increase in CA 19-9 numbers have convinced her oncologist team that they are likely cancer. Hence the chemo regimen...
Fast forward to just over a week ago, her oncologist determined that the cisplatin + gems + immune regimen has taken its course, and, in order to further force the cancer to "stability" or "remission", it is best to move to the oxygen + 5FU regimen. After one session of this new cocktail, it became very clear that my mom's body was not responding well to this treatment. She lost her appetite, was extremely weak, was not able to sleep well at night, and lost ~6 lbs in close to a week. My mom currently weighs 52 kilos (~115 lbs), so the weight loss is significant.
I have provided this background to see if anyone has had a similar experience and what (if any) other therapies they may have tried that has worked for them.
My Onc said I have either GB or Bile Duct primary, but they aren’t sure. Bile duct was not able to be biopsied but GB Adenocarcinoma Stage 4 spread to Peri, LN, Stomach
Can you pls tell me symptoms and experience? Pray you are well
I've had abdominal pain for years, but it wasn't until I had a violent attack, septicimia, a gallstone lodged in my bile duct, that my gallbladder was removed and they found adenocarcinoma stage T2b. I had a liver resection and my margins were clear, but I had 2 cancerous lymph nodes. So. I am on oral chemo and hoping for the best.
Do you have an oncologist yet?
This is a pretty scary cancer!
My Onc said I have either GB or Bile Duct primary, but they aren’t sure. Bile duct was not able to be biopsied but GB Adenocarcinoma Stage 4 spread to Peri, LN, Stomach
Can you pls tell me symptoms and experience? Pray you are well
@heartofgold57 chemo on a 21-day cycle for 6-7 month is not unusual, I’m currently on gem/cis on a 21-day cycle for 6 cycles with reevaluation after 3 cycles which we just completed. Everyone is different but, in my case, only side effects, fatigue (afternoon nap when needed), constipation (manageable), and numbness in fingertips. Chemo is only on days 1 and 8, that is only 2 days out of 21 with most of the rest mainly normal.
Based on my specific condition, gallbladder adenocarcinoma pT3 pNx G3, liver resection (clean margins), CA 19-9 230 and derived from Yifan, A Predictive Model for Survival of Gallbladders Adenocarcinoma with reoccurrence after 10 months my 5 year survival would be estimated at 29%. Now I have survived for 1 year and that increase my expected 5-year survival to 38%. When I reach2 years survival next year that will increase to 56% and 72% when I reach the 3-year mark. Each day/week/month/year increases your chance of survival.
Given that I have had a reoccurrence limited to the liver total remission is not expected. However, it was discovered early, based on frequent CA 19-9 monitoring, and we expect it can be controlled with a maintenance and monitoring program after we have finished chemo.
CA 19-9 in my case was elevated and is following the progression of the cancer allowing for early detection and monitoring of treatments.
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If you're still on this forum, please update on your mom's progress. I am 78 and was diagnosed in March 2023. I'm now on chemo
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1 ReactionI've had abdominal pain for years, but it wasn't until I had a violent attack, septicimia, a gallstone lodged in my bile duct, that my gallbladder was removed and they found adenocarcinoma stage T2b. I had a liver resection and my margins were clear, but I had 2 cancerous lymph nodes. So. I am on oral chemo and hoping for the best.
Do you have an oncologist yet?
This is a pretty scary cancer!
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1 ReactionMy Onc said I have either GB or Bile Duct primary, but they aren’t sure. Bile duct was not able to be biopsied but GB Adenocarcinoma Stage 4 spread to Peri, LN, Stomach
Can you pls tell me symptoms and experience? Pray you are well
Still here. All is good with my wife. Just waiting for next check up
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1 ReactionVery few of us out there. Gallbladder cancer isn't as popular a topic as other cancers
Yes, I was diagnosed in March. It was quite a shock! It is a rare and aggressive cancer. It can be lonely, because there are so few of us.
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1 ReactionI was diagnosed last week
Just diagnosed, waiting for CT scans, etc
Yes, got the news after gallbladder removal
I was just diagnosed. CT scans on Friday to see if there are mets