Deb01432003 re Helen Re: Dr Sugarbaker

[Guest guest]

Kris Wrote:

<<Although not without complications, they feel that without the use

chemotherapy, at the same time as near complete resection of all

visible metastatic nodules, all surgical adhesions etc. that there

is very limited chance of eliminating tumor. Dr. Elias's group

sound like they have a great deal of experience using this technique>>

This is entirely in line with all I have read. Sugarbaker was

pulling near 50% CURE rates when using complete debulking plus

Intraperitoneal Chemo...I don't think ANYONE performing debulking

alone is having successes like this.

It is important to distinguish between INTRAPERITIONAL CHEMO, given

during surgery directly into the peritioneal cavity, and SYSTEMIC

CHEMO (given for months into a vein, starting several weeks after

surgery). Systemic chemo is not usually associated with CURING stage

IV patients. But Intraperitioneal chemo is different and apparently

CAN significantly contribute to cure rate!!! So don't overlook this

important technique.

Also, the hospital in Villejuif, France has got to be one of the most

innovative cancer research centers in Europe. In addition to their

research w/ Intraoperative Chemo, They have also done a lot of

pioneering work with Chronotherapy (delivery of systemic chemo

by pump according to body circadian rhythms - results in less

toxicity, maybe BETTER efficacy than " usual " methods of chemo

administration).

If I were anywhere near Europe, I would definitely visit Villejuif to

see what they have to offer!

Best Wishes,

> Pat-

>

> I saw your post. I also had surgery with Dr. Sugarbaker last

> February.

>

> Before going for this, I did a great deal of reading. Dr. D.

Elias

> at the Dept of Surgical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy,

Villejuif,

> France was a name came up as frequently as Dr. Sugarbaker, as a

> surgeon who has done a great number of these surgeries, and

actively

> is working to improve the sucess of this surgery/ intraoperative

> chemotherapy. In fact he and Dr. Sugarbaker have collaborated on

> writing several papers.

>

> Although not without complications, they feel that without the use

> chemotherapy, at the same time as near complete resection of all

> visible metastatic nodules, all surgical adhesions etc. that there

is

> very limited chance of eliminating tumor. Dr. Elias's group sound

> like they have a great deal of experience using this technique.

>

> Best Wishes,

>

> Kris S