Palliative OR Curative? Second opinions?

Former Member over 4 years ago

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Like some others, I had FOLFIRI with Cetuximab over 12 fortnightly sessions, CT scan at the end showed nothing visible, quite remarkable, 6 month break, follow up CT scan showed back with a vengeance in nodes and peritoneal area, no organs affected,now on FOLFOX with Oxiliplatin for 12 cycles, advised Cetuximab may not work this time, so Oxiliplatin instead, mid cycle scan in about 7 weeks to check progress, told this is now palliative treatment, not curative, no mention of being operable, so maybe I'll ask for a second opinion?

Any suggestions welcomed

Ian x

court over 4 years ago

Certainly my mum was classed as palliative care but that did not stop her seeking a surgical opinion after chemo finished . Like you she was highly responsive to chemo . However her oncologist wanted to keep using that whereas she wanted to see if there was a surgical option .
If you decide to go for a second opinion I would say in my own humble opinion it matters who you consult with . Now would be a good time to see who is at the top of the game doing surgery on peritoneal spread . Some appear able to do a bit more than others ! It was not always easy to hear what the surgeon had to say as they did not sugar coat any potential issues . However by the end of the process she had all the information together to make a fully informed choice . For her a two pronged approach was possible.
The whole palliative care stretched on for seven full years of treatment on and off . Now sure when she dropped that particular label. Good you are so responsive to treatment.

This is just my mum’s experience so not sure how much weight it holds in reality but that’s how she approached it anyway .

take care ,

Court

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