Should I do ablation or regular surgery?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Should I do ablation or regular surgery?

  • Post
    • June 6, 2015 at 3:30 am
    arthurjedi007
    Participant

      They cancelled the radio frequency ablation I was supposed to have Wednesday. It was to burn the mass in my spinal canal at the t10 level before it gets like last year when it almost paralyzed me. Also doing some cement and things. Instead I'm to see a surgeon who wants to remove the mass and that vertebrae. Last year they couldn't do the surgery because the artery supply the tumor also supplies the spinal cord. Also last year they commented they would have to use long rods because of the radiation which now is more like every vertebrae I've had radiation. they said they cancelled because the ablation could not get all the cancer. My doc had told me radiation at best gets 80% so I was already expecting this to be similar.

      The recovery from ablation should be at most 3 days. The recovery from regular surgery I'm thinking could be months or never. So for ablation I would still be ready for the trials if I can get in. With regular surgery I could not do any trial until recovered. Currently I'm on pd1 for over a year but every scan has showed some stuff keeps growing and last scan had a new tumor of 5 by 4 cm on kidney.

      I had cryo ablation scheduled at mayo and like an idiot when I met the local doc I decided to cancel that. I've since got that rescheduled for the week of the 29th. Cryo is freezing the stuff plus they will do some cement and things.

      So I think I know I should get to mayo and get the ablation done rather than doing the regular surgery. But I'm not sure. It would be awesome to be recovered from the regular surgery and not have to worry about thst t10 paralyzing me. But then what about these huge rods that span many vertebrae. Also the cancer seems to grow rapidly sometimes even on pd1 so what shape would I be in.

      That area has already been radiated twice but I'm waiting to hear from my radiation doc anyway to see if it can be done again.

      So I'm not sure what to do? Any thoughts?

      Artie

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 6, 2015 at 4:09 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Oh, Artie!  I am sorry for more delay and confusion for you.  I think you could manage the surgery.  It certainly wouldn't be fun.  I am assuming that the rods you are talking about would be similar to the ones used for kids with scoliosis.  I've taken care of many of those types of surgeries and I think you could handle it…though of course yours would be complicated by tumor removal as well.  But….I guess the real crux is the fact that you need to be on treatment for the rest of you as soon as you can…and it is likely that recovery from actual surgery would certainly take longer than from the cryo procedure.  When you think of it that way cryo sounds more reasonable.  Trials differ in what they consider "recovered" after surgery and the time limit post op that they require so I guess you could double check that with the ones you are looking at.  I guess if I were in your shoes I would try for the cryo.  It is not easy to decide, is it?  Did they give no other reason for canceling the radioablation other than they didn't think they could remove enough tumor?  So sorry for all of this.  Love, c

            • June 6, 2015 at 9:50 pm
            arthurjedi007
            Participant

              Thanks Celeste. The way I understand the rods they bolt one end to a vertebrae and the other end to another vertebrae. I guess that is the same you mention.

              Yes the only reason they cancelled the radio ablation is they could not remove via burning all the mass in the spinal canal because the spinal cord is too close so there would be some he couldn't get.

              Artie

              • June 6, 2015 at 9:50 pm
              arthurjedi007
              Participant

                Thanks Celeste. The way I understand the rods they bolt one end to a vertebrae and the other end to another vertebrae. I guess that is the same you mention.

                Yes the only reason they cancelled the radio ablation is they could not remove via burning all the mass in the spinal canal because the spinal cord is too close so there would be some he couldn't get.

                Artie

                • June 6, 2015 at 9:50 pm
                arthurjedi007
                Participant

                  Thanks Celeste. The way I understand the rods they bolt one end to a vertebrae and the other end to another vertebrae. I guess that is the same you mention.

                  Yes the only reason they cancelled the radio ablation is they could not remove via burning all the mass in the spinal canal because the spinal cord is too close so there would be some he couldn't get.

                  Artie

                • June 6, 2015 at 4:09 pm
                Bubbles
                Participant

                  Oh, Artie!  I am sorry for more delay and confusion for you.  I think you could manage the surgery.  It certainly wouldn't be fun.  I am assuming that the rods you are talking about would be similar to the ones used for kids with scoliosis.  I've taken care of many of those types of surgeries and I think you could handle it…though of course yours would be complicated by tumor removal as well.  But….I guess the real crux is the fact that you need to be on treatment for the rest of you as soon as you can…and it is likely that recovery from actual surgery would certainly take longer than from the cryo procedure.  When you think of it that way cryo sounds more reasonable.  Trials differ in what they consider "recovered" after surgery and the time limit post op that they require so I guess you could double check that with the ones you are looking at.  I guess if I were in your shoes I would try for the cryo.  It is not easy to decide, is it?  Did they give no other reason for canceling the radioablation other than they didn't think they could remove enough tumor?  So sorry for all of this.  Love, c

                  • June 6, 2015 at 4:09 pm
                  Bubbles
                  Participant

                    Oh, Artie!  I am sorry for more delay and confusion for you.  I think you could manage the surgery.  It certainly wouldn't be fun.  I am assuming that the rods you are talking about would be similar to the ones used for kids with scoliosis.  I've taken care of many of those types of surgeries and I think you could handle it…though of course yours would be complicated by tumor removal as well.  But….I guess the real crux is the fact that you need to be on treatment for the rest of you as soon as you can…and it is likely that recovery from actual surgery would certainly take longer than from the cryo procedure.  When you think of it that way cryo sounds more reasonable.  Trials differ in what they consider "recovered" after surgery and the time limit post op that they require so I guess you could double check that with the ones you are looking at.  I guess if I were in your shoes I would try for the cryo.  It is not easy to decide, is it?  Did they give no other reason for canceling the radioablation other than they didn't think they could remove enough tumor?  So sorry for all of this.  Love, c

                    • June 6, 2015 at 6:49 pm
                    DZnDef
                    Participant

                      Hi Artie – I apologize for asking a stupid question but is it not an option to do neither one and just start the trial?  If the trial works, it would take of it, no?  Or if it gets worse during the trial, could you do ablation or surgery then?  Sorry, none of the options are standing out as the obvious choice.  I have not (yet) been in your position but I am learning so much from your posts.  I am sure you will make the right decision for you (you can tell when it's right – it just sits well).

                      Best of luck to you always, Artie!

                      Maggie

                        • June 6, 2015 at 9:56 pm
                        arthurjedi007
                        Participant

                          Thanks Maggie. That might be what happens. Especially the NIH trial. I talk to them once a week and yesterday it sounded like they will want me there soon for screening. Not sure yet what all of that will be but a few weeks after that if everything goes ok I would then go back for the treatment. So we are still talking about 6 or more weeks before treatment thus for my peace of mind I think I need to do at least the ablation first granted I have no symptoms yet.

                          Artie

                          • June 7, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                          tschmith
                          Participant

                            Hey Artie!  Will you be doing TIL at NIH?  I had surgery on my spine.  They couldn't remove the whole tumor but it has remained stable since October 2013.  I have two rods and six screws.  I took a long time to heal and have to keep my core muscles strong.  The ablation sounds like a good option while you're waiting for things to get underway at NIH.  Good luck to you!!!!

                            Terrie

                            • June 8, 2015 at 11:35 am
                            arthurjedi007
                            Participant

                              Thanks Terrie. They haven't said for sure but it is my understanding when asking it will be some type of til with il2. Apparently there are different types of TIL. But they still have more tests to do to make sure my melanoma is of a type they can treat.

                              Artie

                              • June 8, 2015 at 11:35 am
                              arthurjedi007
                              Participant

                                Thanks Terrie. They haven't said for sure but it is my understanding when asking it will be some type of til with il2. Apparently there are different types of TIL. But they still have more tests to do to make sure my melanoma is of a type they can treat.

                                Artie

                                • June 8, 2015 at 11:35 am
                                arthurjedi007
                                Participant

                                  Thanks Terrie. They haven't said for sure but it is my understanding when asking it will be some type of til with il2. Apparently there are different types of TIL. But they still have more tests to do to make sure my melanoma is of a type they can treat.

                                  Artie

                                  • June 7, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                                  tschmith
                                  Participant

                                    Hey Artie!  Will you be doing TIL at NIH?  I had surgery on my spine.  They couldn't remove the whole tumor but it has remained stable since October 2013.  I have two rods and six screws.  I took a long time to heal and have to keep my core muscles strong.  The ablation sounds like a good option while you're waiting for things to get underway at NIH.  Good luck to you!!!!

                                    Terrie

                                    • June 7, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                                    tschmith
                                    Participant

                                      Hey Artie!  Will you be doing TIL at NIH?  I had surgery on my spine.  They couldn't remove the whole tumor but it has remained stable since October 2013.  I have two rods and six screws.  I took a long time to heal and have to keep my core muscles strong.  The ablation sounds like a good option while you're waiting for things to get underway at NIH.  Good luck to you!!!!

                                      Terrie

                                      • June 6, 2015 at 9:56 pm
                                      arthurjedi007
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks Maggie. That might be what happens. Especially the NIH trial. I talk to them once a week and yesterday it sounded like they will want me there soon for screening. Not sure yet what all of that will be but a few weeks after that if everything goes ok I would then go back for the treatment. So we are still talking about 6 or more weeks before treatment thus for my peace of mind I think I need to do at least the ablation first granted I have no symptoms yet.

                                        Artie

                                        • June 6, 2015 at 9:56 pm
                                        arthurjedi007
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks Maggie. That might be what happens. Especially the NIH trial. I talk to them once a week and yesterday it sounded like they will want me there soon for screening. Not sure yet what all of that will be but a few weeks after that if everything goes ok I would then go back for the treatment. So we are still talking about 6 or more weeks before treatment thus for my peace of mind I think I need to do at least the ablation first granted I have no symptoms yet.

                                          Artie

                                        • June 6, 2015 at 6:49 pm
                                        DZnDef
                                        Participant

                                          Hi Artie – I apologize for asking a stupid question but is it not an option to do neither one and just start the trial?  If the trial works, it would take of it, no?  Or if it gets worse during the trial, could you do ablation or surgery then?  Sorry, none of the options are standing out as the obvious choice.  I have not (yet) been in your position but I am learning so much from your posts.  I am sure you will make the right decision for you (you can tell when it's right – it just sits well).

                                          Best of luck to you always, Artie!

                                          Maggie

                                          • June 6, 2015 at 6:49 pm
                                          DZnDef
                                          Participant

                                            Hi Artie – I apologize for asking a stupid question but is it not an option to do neither one and just start the trial?  If the trial works, it would take of it, no?  Or if it gets worse during the trial, could you do ablation or surgery then?  Sorry, none of the options are standing out as the obvious choice.  I have not (yet) been in your position but I am learning so much from your posts.  I am sure you will make the right decision for you (you can tell when it's right – it just sits well).

                                            Best of luck to you always, Artie!

                                            Maggie

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