Bile Duct Caner – cholangiocarcinoma from Singapore

Hi Dr Teo,

My dad has been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma last month.

We only learnt of the condition when he got hospitalized for jaundice. In addition to Cholangiocarcinoma, he is also diagnosed with portal vein thrombus and his liver scan results are not ideal. He is scheduled for an operation on 4 April2014. The procedure involves removing sections of the bile duct, portal vein and the right half of his liver. Though the doctors aren’t 100% certain it’s cancer, they put the risk at 85%.

In late 2012, he has undergone keyhole surgeries to remove his gall bladder and part of his stomach. Doctors advised that the growths were turning cancerous. His last post-operation consultation was in 2013 and doctors declared him to be totally well.

The initial plan was to go ahead with the operation, but just yesterday, he decided not to, because of the risks involved. There is an option of putting in a stent in the bile duct, but I have yet to talk him round. He is aware that the condition will deteriorate over time and he is looking at a totally different set of problem/risk without a surgery.

After some discussion, we feel that you may be able to help. We understand that this is not a cure, as you have said it. We are looking at delaying the growth of these cells (if they are cancerous) thus prolonging lifespan and being able to better manage/ maintain the quality of life from this point forth. He will turn 66 this month and both his parents passed away from cancer.

I hope these information helped. We are hoping to travel to Penang to see you this Friday (4 April) from Singapore. Please let me know if it is possible. Thanks & Regards.

Rectal Cancer from India

 

Dear Doc,
As many other patients I write to u with great hope. My sister (Age 35) has been a patient of Ulcerative Colitis since 2001 but it was in remission since 2010. In December 2013 she was diagnosed with rectal cancer (tumour in the rectum and mets in the peritoneum and some effect on the ovary too. She is presently undergoing chemotherapy Folfox 6 and has completed 6 sessions n 6 more sessions remain. However she is in poor health n not able to tolerate chemotherapy and therefore the disagree is to be reduced from next time.

She has lost 12kg since treatment started and weighs only 44kg now. The doctors also say that curative surgery is not possible and give her only a few years even with chemotherapy.
I am attaching few important reports here. I can send you all the reports if you require. I understand you need either the patient or a person to visit who knows the details. Presently my sister is repeatedly getting hospitalised due to weakness n not able to travel. I myself can come but that too only after my sister gets some relief. I would like to ask you that based on your experience and past cases do you think you can help her. Also would you recommend that she gets surgery done or shall we avoid it at the moment.

We are from India and I can visit after some time and when my sister gets better we can visit for a personal consultation too. However at the moment I request your opinion regarding what do you think in her case. Thank you,

Reply: There is not much choice …no body can cure any cancer. 

But doc, you mention on your site not to panic. Looking at your site I understand that with your medicines one can keep it at bay and live disease free n long healthy life. Please tell me if you can help. Thanks.

Reply:  It is hard for me to make any promise … because I am not in  a business of making money trying to mislead patients. If you think that I can help you, bring all the medical reports and come and see me. But before that please read what I wrote in my website www.cacare.org about help on line.

Cervical Cancer from India

Dear Dr Chris

I got your reference from mr RB, a friend of mine who has been successfully treated by you. I had cervical cancer ( small cell carcinoma ) in Jan 2012. I had chemo & radiation but surgery was not done as the tumour had crossed the walls. This treatment lasted from Jan to March end of 2012.

I had my annual PET SCAN in the April of 2013 & a small trace ( 5 mm) of lesion was detected which on biopsy turned out to be malignant. And this time it was cancer of the connective tissues. As a result I had a hysterectomy in May 2013 followed by chemo till Oct. I could not complete the full cycles of chemo as my body was not taking it ( drop in hemoglobin  , low TLC & platelet counts.
Right now I am not taking any medication for cancer but continue to take medicines for diabetes , blood pressure, and thyroid since 2000.

I am in Singapore for a month and would like to consult you at your convenience . I will be grateful if you could give me time on the coming weekend or the next. Looking forward to your reply. Thanking You.

Chemo: Alimta, Carboplatin, Avastin — cancer spread and spread. Hole in the intestine!

Dear prof chris,
I am len the daughter of ASH. we come from surabaya, indonesia.  i need your help to have consultation about my father’s condition.

In nov 2013 my father was diagnosed by dr PE. with lung cancer that spread in lymph nodes n adrenal (non-small lung cancer) and he got biopsy with dr AT. dr PE recommend us to dr Lim for the oncologist. my father get chemotherapy with alimta, carboplatin, avastin that done every 3 weeks.

after the first chemo he felt pain in his neck we already told dr lim adn we went to met ENT dr RB and he gave medicine. after second chemo he felt pain in his tongue and we told dr lim and he recommend to see dental dr Chan so we went there to and also went back to ent dr RB and he said it just small infection so doctor gave medicine.

before third chemo he done the ct scan and the cancer shrink about 50% dr lim said but he still felt pain in his neck, tongue and teeth and we told dr lim n ent doctor.ent doctor give medicine n said if he still felt pain maybe he need a ct scan when the next chemo.

a week after the fourth chemo my father get jejunum perforation at his stomach and got operation in indonesia at 18 feb 2014.after his recovery we go back to singapore to meet dr lim in 19 march 2014.when we meet him he stop the chemo because my father still weak n get pain inside his right mouth. we decide to met anothet ent dr CCT in 20 march n doctor said we should do mri tongue urgently and the same we do MRI. In 21 march we see dr CCT about the mri and he said my father got tumour in his tongue and need radiotheraphy that dr lim said too.

So we met dr LKS he gave option for us (do radiotherapy for 6-7weeks for tongue but he worried about lung n stomach or 2 weeks radiotherapy and continue with chemo for tongue, lung, stomach or do chemo for tongue, lung and stomach).

My family told us about you and penang cancer centre so we want to know more about that.
Can i have appointment with prof in this week? Thank you for helping.

bevacizumab = Avastin

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