CommunitiesAmpullary AdenocarcinomaHow do you stay strong fighting stage 4 ampullary cancer at 73?

How do you stay strong fighting stage 4 ampullary cancer at 73?

JA

Community Member

6 months ago

I'm 73 years old and I have been diagnosed with stage 4 ampullary cancer which spread into my liver. I get chemotherapy treatments every other week and have had 40 treatments. My CA19-9 number when I was diagnosed was over 5,000 it now is 122. I get a CAT SCAN after every 4th chemotherapy treatment. The scan has shown continued shrinking of tumors in my liver. I refuse to bow down to this disease.

3 comments
Comment
CA

Community Member

6 months ago

Your fighting spirit and determination are truly inspiring, and it sounds like your treatment is showing positive results with the shrinking tumors and improved numbers. Staying strong often comes from focusing on the progress being made, maintaining hope, and connecting with others who understand this journey. What helps you stay motivated during the more challenging days of treatment?

M8

Community Member

8 days ago

Histotripsy is a non-invasive, surgery-free cancer treatment that uses focused ultrasound waves to mechanically destroy tumor cells. It creates a "bubble cloud" that liquefies target tissue without damaging surrounding healthy tissue, typically for liver tumors, acting as a low-risk alternative to traditional surgery. The procedure lasts 10 to 90 minutes, often allowing patients to go home the same day. • Johns Hopkins Me... +4 How It Works • Non-Invasive Cavitation: High-intensity pulses of ultrasound create rapid expansion and collapse of gas bubbles within the tumor, creating a "bubble cloud" that breaks down cancer cell walls. • Precision: The procedure is guided by real-time ultrasound imaging to target tumors precisely, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. • Immune Response: The destroyed cells are absorbed by the body, and the process leaves behind "cell debris" which may help the immune system recognize and fight remaining cancer cells. C3 Cleveland Clinic +2

M8

Community Member

8 days ago

Histotripsy is Approved for Liver Cancer.

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