February 11, 2008

Two months has passed since the last CT scan. Time flies when you are having fun, doesn't it?

Here's the latest CT Scan results:
This CT and radiology analysis was produced on Friday, 2/8, and it brought something new to the table. The radiologist discovered a 4cm "mass like pleural based density" in the upper right lung lobe. He also noted a minor increase in the pleural fluid. This indicate that the cancer is progressing. To be certain, we are performing a 'Needle Biopsy" later this week to determine the nature of the mass. It might be from an infection, or it might be a kidney cancer tumor. The biopsy will be definitive. If I cough or sneeze, my right lung is very painful (like pneumonia). It is interesting to note that Dr. Needles had an X-ray done two weeks ago, and the lungs looked clear at that time, so this is a very new development (which leads me to believe that it is an infection, rather than a tumor). Of course, my glass is always half full.

On the positive side, no other changes in any of my chest or abdominal lymph nodes were detected. If this turns out to be progression of the kidney cancer, we probably will move on to a stronger treatment that is based on Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Avastin. IL-2 is a natural part of our immune system, a protein which activates parts of our immune system. IL-2 does not kill tumor cells directly like classical chemotherapy. Instead, IL-2 activates and stimulates the growth of immune cells, most importantly T-Cells, which are capable of destroying cancer cells directly. IL-2 is a rigorous course of treatment but is the only systemic treatment that has produced lasting long term remissions in some of the renal cell carcinoma patients that do respond.

Although the therapy rarely causes serious permanent damage, the side effects sound miserable. I'm not looking forward to this treatment, but if it is required, I can only look forward to do it and to get it done (git'r done!)

What ever the results are from the biopsy, I'm ready for it.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. It is of great help to me, and I truly appreciate it.

D. J.