Adenocarcinoma - Small Bowel Cancer - BALLAD Trial

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Hello,

I am not sure how best to start something like this but I guess to start somewhere, I can give you some background.

I am currently a 32 y/o man and had been suffering with abdominal pains since October 2020. In January of 2022 It was found that I was suffering with anaemia and in February extensive tests began. I was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma in my jejunum on the 31st May this year. Since then I have had small bowel resection surgery in mid June to remove part 3 and 4 of my duodenum and 30 cm of my small bowel.

Due to the rare nature of my cancer I am now participating in something called the BALLAD trial which has randomised me to have two chemotherapy drugs (oxaliplatin and capecitabine) . I started this on Thursday 4th and last treatment is scheduled for 29th December.

I am scared of what the future holds for me and just wondered if anyone else on here is part of the study and how they have been doing?

Thank you in advance <3

Kareno62 over 2 years ago

Hi RossC22and welcome to the board. I’ve had a quick search and the only person who’s mentioned this before is LiverpoolJulie. She’s not been on the board for a while but may still see this post - here’s her original post below

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/214895/newbie---small-bowel-cancer---adenocarcinoma

Capox/xelox is a long established chemo used in bowl cancer treatment. Like all chemo it can have side effects but the nurses have lots of pills and potions to help combat them. Keep your hands and feet well moisturised and speak out if they start to get red or tingly - I carried on and still have limited sensation in my feet 5 years later - not overly debilitating but they feel permanently sunburnt and hot - not great in this weather. I’ve attached a link below that we started on chemo which may help if you want to have a quick read?

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/general/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

LiverpoolJulie over 2 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi Ross C22, did you want to chat about small bowel cancer and chemo? I finished chemo in October and am no longer receiving treatment. If you want to chat please don't hesitate to let me know. Julie

Faloola over 2 years ago

Hi.

I had small bowel cancer 2013 stage 3 had right resection. Also had adjuvant chemo oxaliplatin and capecitabine. I was unaware it was a trial 9 years ago. I guess the moral of the story is I’m still here so just have hope and hit the ground running that’s what I did .

Cath

LiverpoolJulie over 2 years ago in reply to Faloola

Hi Faloola, I had stage 2, resection and the same chemo, oxaliplatin and capecitabine. Good to hear that you're well, fingers crossed, I'll be saying the same thing 9 years on :-)

Faloola over 2 years ago in reply to LiverpoolJulie

Well your cancer is a grade lower than mines was so every chance and fingers crossed. I was discharged after 5 years from hospital scans and test and now just have 3 yearly colonoscopies. Good luck to you.

Cath

RossC22 over 2 years ago in reply to Kareno62

sorry for the delay in coming back to you. Having a bit of a rough one with the heat and been off the cape for 3 days due to side effects and it’s week 1. However I remain positive that this is just as bump in the road and it’ll smooth out as things go along :)

Thanks for the info around the meds side effects. I usually moisturise a lot anyway from a history of eczema so comes second nature.

I will get in touch with Julie.

Thank you so much again! <3

RossC22 over 2 years ago in reply to LiverpoolJulie

Hi Julie, that would be great thank you. It’s a very rare topic (the trial) on here it seems so it’s nice to find someone.

Thank you!

RossC22 over 2 years ago in reply to Faloola

That’s amazing news I’m so pleased for you :) and gives me hope for the future considering how rare this is.

To be honest I haven’t actually asked my doctors what “stage” I was at. Bit silly now I think about it. All I know is they got the tumour out and there was some cancer cells in 1 out of 30 lymph nodes they removed. Which is why im now having chemo.

LiverpoolJulie over 2 years ago in reply to Faloola

thanks a lot, good luck to you too! :-)

Faloola over 2 years ago in reply to RossC22

I think they took 5 lymph nodes and 3 were infected. good luck to you hope all goes well.

Cath