six years later she shares her story – YouTube
At age 69, Pam Sander had lived a wonderful life. A former teacher and lifelong St. Louis resident, Pam had been married to her soulmate, Roy, for almost 50 years. “We finish each other’s sentences,” Pam laughs. “We’ve gotten to be the typical old married couple.”
After going to the doctor with stomach pain, Pam learned she had pancreatic cancer.
“I asked the doctor how long somebody usually lives with this,” Pam recalls.
“She said about four months.”
After realizing she wouldn’t make it to 70, Roy was overcome with sadness.
But Pam took the opportunity to reflect on how wonderful her life had been:
“How lucky I had been to live my whole life with someone I loved.
With children that I loved.
With friends that I love…so we didn’t cry anymore. We just got on with gettin’ on.”
As Pam tried to come to terms with her diagnosis, her doctor presented her with some potentially exciting news: She was eligible for a clinical trial of a new form of targeted radiation therapy, known as MRIdian, developed by ViewRay.
Discover MRIdian – ViewRay
Shortly after treatment, Pam learned that her tumor had not grown. “I felt like I could exhale,” she says. “Like we could live our lives again.” Now six years after treatment,
Pam is one of an incredibly small number of pancreatic cancer survivors who has lived more than five years.
She attributes the clinical trial using MRIdian to be saving her life: “I [feel] proud to
be part of history,” says Pam. “If this can help other people, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
It just made [me] feel like [I was] doing something worthwhile… I thank the doctors and
that machine for being my saviors.” MRIdian, developed by ViewRay. – Bing images
MRIdian Locator – ViewRay
Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.
Find hospitals where MRIdian is available here. viewray.com
https://viewray.com/about-us/mridian-locator
MRIdian by ViewRay is the world’s first radiotherapy device
with an integrated onboard MRI.
What is MRIdian (ViewRay)?
It allows the treatment of tumors previously considered untreatable.
Until recently, physicians used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to see tumors, and linear accelerators (LINAC) to treat them. MRI-LINAC is a revolutionary solution that combines both technologies in the same device. MRIdian by ViewRay is the world’s first MRI-guided radiation therapy system that can image and treat cancer patients simultaneously. It is a radiotherapy solution that integrates LINAC with MRI technology in a compact design, together with software, to locate, target, and track the position and shape of tumors while radiation is being delivered.
How does MRIdian (ViewRay) work?
As with conventional radiotherapy, the patient is placed on a table, and MRI is performed on the targeted tissues. The tumor area and surrounding healthy tissues can be visualized clearly with the aid of MRI. Real-time imaging helps physicians control the treatment process during irradiation. If a clinically important movement of targets or healthy tissues is detected, physicians can adjust the target and replan the treatment while the patient is still on the treatment couch. A new MRI scan is performed before each treatment session, allowing for tailored treatment based on the patient’s daily anatomy.
Patients play an active role in MRI-Linac radiotherapy. During treatment, the patient can monitor the tumor on a screen and adjust their breathing to keep it within the marked frame. When the treatment session is over, the patient can go home immediately.
Differences between MRIdian and conventional LINAC-based treatments
MRIdian is a new technology for advanced radiotherapy. The new therapeutic method addresses the limitations of radiation oncology. Due to its ability to see the soft tissues well and monitor radiation delivery in real-time, MRI-guided radiation therapy allows for the treatment of small or hard-to-reach tumors, tumors located close to critical structures, or tumors that move (for example, with breathing).
Compared to conventional radiotherapy, MRIdian offers advanced features:
Provides continuous imaging in real-time
Enables the physician to see tumors clearly, even in soft tissues
Allows access to hard-to-reach or moving tumors in the chest or abdomen
Tracks the movements of tumors and healthy tissues during radiation treatment
Provides real-time, on-table adaptive radiotherapy planning
Provides video recording during the treatment process and allows for visualization of progress
Enables the delivery of high doses and precise irradiation
Avoids the need for invasive and costly markers and tissue expanders
Advantages of MRIdian (ViewRay)
The MRIdian LINAC system provides significant benefits for certain patients:
Enhanced real-time tumor visualization
Tight margins and minimal radiation to surrounding healthy tissues
Few treatment sessions
Minimal side effects for the patient
Excellent safety and efficacy of radiation therapy
Improved outcomes for hard-to-treat tumors
Conditions Treatable with MRIdian (ViewRay)
MRI-LINAC can be used for all tumors throughout the body. However, it provides significant advantages for patients with lung cancer, prostate cancer, abdominal cancer, liver tumors and metastases, and pancreatic cancer in particular. Its range of applications includes breast, periaortic, lung, kidney, bladder, and pelvic lymph nodes, head and neck area, bile duct, stomach, cervix, adrenal gland, orbit, bone, spleen, gyn pelvis, thorax, aortic arch, pancreas, heart, prostate, mesenteric, abdomen (soft tissue), neck, rectal, parotid gland, pelvis, spine, esophagus, thyroid, colon, liver, extremity, mediastinal,
pelvic, soft tissue pelvic, brain, uterine, flank, gall bladder, and lingual lymph nodes, nasopharynx, ovaries, rib, and thymus.
What Types of Cancer are Treated by MRIdian?
MRIdian is used mostly for the treatment of:
Head and neck cancers
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Liver cancer
Gynecologic cancers
Gastrointestinal cancers
Pancreas cancer
Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
Breast cancer
Kidney cancer
Soft tissue sarcomas
MRIdian provides an opportunity to see and track soft tissues and tumors in real-time. This enables re-planning of the treatment course on the table if need be. MRIdian can be used in all tumors but is especially advantageous in the locations where the body has some degree of motion: the tumors located in the abdomen, the thoracal regions, etc. Tumors in these regions are in motion even during normal breathing patterns.
Therefore, the tumor area and surrounding healthy tissues can be visualized clearly (are clearly visible) with the aid of the MRIdian. In case of detecting a clinically significant movement of targets or healthy tissues, physicians are able to adjust the target and re-plan the treatment while the patient is still on the table. Keeping an eye on the findings of each treatment session, a new MRI scan could be performed before the other one. It allows a tailored treatment in accordance with the patient’s daily anatomy.
With MRIdian, it is possible to track the tumor and give the treatment at the right time and target position. It allows treatment of hard-to-reach tumors, tumors located close to critical structures, or tumors that can move during normal bodily functions such as breathing. This makes MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy unique and more effective compared to other technologies. Moreover, MRIdian therapy offers better results with little to no side effects or complications.
What Should I Expect After MRIdian Treatment?
After your tumor board decides to carry out the treatment with MRIdian, the treatment journey consists of 4 steps: simulation, planning, treatment, and follow-up. MRIdian treatment is completed between 1-5 sessions. With MRIdian, it is possible to escalate the dose while keeping the healthy tissue unharmed. Thus, MRIdian radiotherapy is finalized with fewer fractions than conventional radiotherapy. Depending on tumor localization and type, one session would take approximately between 25 to 60 minutes. You can go to their homes or hotel rooms after each treatment session. After a week, you come back to the hospital again for a control examination and tests. According to your tumor, the succeeding treatment can be planned. For instance, if MRIdian is used for a pancreatic cancer case, the patient may need to be operated on after the treatment. On the other hand, if a patient suffers from localized prostate cancer, he can cure with MRIdian treatment and will no longer need additional treatment.
What are MRIdian’s Disadvantages?
All radiotherapy treatments may bring about some side effects. Side effects of MRIdian are roughly similar to other radiation treatments. They are typically temporary and may result in respiratory, digestive, urinary, or reproductive system issues. In addition, some patients are likely to suffer from fatigue, nausea, skin irritation, and hair loss.
However, MRIdian sees and tracks healthy tissues and tumors in real-time, and consequently, it delivers the radiation beams to the tumor with utmost accuracy and causes minimum damage to healthy tissues. During the treatment, the radiation beam solely targets the tumor.
If the tumor is out of the treatment area, the system automatically stops the beam
thus decreasing the toxicity risk. Potential side effects depend on the treatment area.
For instance, after the treatment of prostate cancer, some patients face temporary urine problems or loose and frequent bowel movements.
A Longer Plan with Treatment Options
Susan Riddle
Stomach troubles a precursor to stage III pancreatic cancer
Shrinking the tumor with chemotherapy and radiation
NanoKnife and side effects
I noticed I was having minor stomach aches starting in November 2015, as best as I can remember. The stomach problems started to increase in January 2016. Since they always occurred around eating, I tried to vary my diet to get relief. Not much helped, but the stomachaches were not bad enough to go to a doctor and say I was having an upset stomach. Vomiting and diarrhea occurred occasionally but mostly after eating.
In March 2016, I developed a boil on my backside that became very painful; I could not sit down comfortably. I was forced to see my doctor at that time, and after she took care of my boil, I mentioned my stomach problems. She analyzed a stool sample and thought all was ok but recommended I see a gastrointestinal doctor. That doctor performed a sigmoidoscopy but found nothing that concerned him; however, he thought I had Gilbert’s syndrome, since my bilirubin was high.
However, since Gilbert’s syndrome should not be causing an upset stomach, occasional vomiting, or diarrhea, the gastroenterologist suggested I get a CT scan. I had the scan on April 7, 2016, and it showed a tumor and a cyst in my pancreas. I had an endoscopy on April 14; the cyst was removed, and a sample of the tumor was taken. The first round of testing was inconclusive, but a second look indicated cancer.
A Plan to Shrink My Tumor
The diagnosis was stage III pancreatic adenocarcinoma. I was not able to have a resection of the tumor because of its location around the superior mesenteric artery. Dr. Martin Palmeri, my oncologist (now in Asheville, North Carolina), set up a treatment protocol
for me. The plan was to shrink the tumor so it was no longer wrapped around the artery, and then I would have either a resection or an irreversible electroporation (NanoKnife).
I started IV infusions of Gemzar and Abraxane on May 1, 2016.
I had these infusions once a week for two weeks and then was off for one week over a period of four months. Twice my blood counts prohibited me from getting the infusion.
I was given steroids and anti-nausea drugs at the time of each infusion.
I also took prochlorperazine and/or Zofran the day after treatment to prevent nausea.
Over the course of the four months, I was sick enough to vomit less than five times, for which I felt very thankful and blessed. On the day after the infusion, I had a great amount of energy—I assume this was from steroids.
On the second day after the infusion, I felt fatigued—not enough to severely limit my activity, but I rested more on those days. My hair was gone by the third chemo treatment, and I developed a body rash around my midsection after the third week of infusion.
After applying lotion, the rash disappeared in a couple of weeks.
After three months, I had another CT scan, which revealed a reduction in tumor size.
My CA 19-9 was dropping quickly.
Next Steps and Side Effects
The next step was radiation with Dr. William McCollough, which I underwent daily for approximately 25 days. I took Xeloda orally in conjunction with the radiation, on a schedule of 14 days on and seven days off. At the end of the 14 days of Xeloda, the bottom of my feet would get tender, but I did not develop blisters. After radiation and chemo ended, I noticed I had difficulty walking upstairs because my legs had become very weak. This lasted for about four weeks.
While I was having the radiation, I noticed a gray curtain effect in my right eye. I learned I had a retinal virus, possibly because my immune system was compromised during chemo and radiation. I had my retina surgically reattached, but the virus did quite a bit of damage and I no longer have sight in my right eye.
A CT scan a month after radiation showed the tumor was smaller and just butted up against the artery. My CA 19-9 numbers were low.
Time for NanoKnife
Dr. Palmeri recommended that I travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to meet with Dr. Robert Martin, a leader in irreversible electroporation, also known as the NanoKnife surgery.
I underwent this procedure on January 5, 2017, and the ablation was successful.
Like most NanoKnife patients, I had the recommended feeding tube in place for three months. I started chemo IV infusions of Gemzar in February 2017, along with Xeloda.
I continued this chemo regimen until July 3, 2017. I got blisters on my hands and feet from the Xeloda, so my doctor gave me a two-week holiday from the drug and then reduced my dose.
A CT scan three months after the NanoKnife surgery showed the tumor was still there but not active. Dr. Palmeri remained concerned and wanted another expert to look at the scan to see if the tumor needed to be removed. I had a PET scan and an MRI. The consensus was the tumor was so involved with my arteries that it would be dangerous to remove it, especially since I was doing well and it appeared to be dormant. Good news, but there was a cyst on my right ovary, something they had seen on a previous scan but it had gotten larger. I was referred to Dr. Timothy Vanderkwaak, a gynecologic oncologist, for my ovaries because of my cancer history.
On August 30, 2017, I had laparoscopic surgery to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. All went well, but the cyst was cancerous. The doctor got it all, however, and no further medication was needed. I was relieved.
Continued Vigilance
I continued to have CT scans every three months, which was a good thing because one scan detected a blood clot in my pancreas, pressing on a vein. I gave myself injections of enoxaparin for three months. The clot did not go away, but there were many collateral veins around the clot, so the injections were stopped. Isn’t it wonderful how the body heals itself?
Dr. Martin asked me if he could use samples of the tumor for research.
I signed the papers, but I do not know exactly what kind of testing was performed.
Dr. Vanderkwaak suggested testing for ovarian and breast cancer mutations. I found out that I have a BARD1 gene mutation, which increases my chances of breast and ovarian cancers. Owing to this mutation, he has suggested increased breast examinations. I was also tested for Gilbert’s syndrome. Because I have the BARD1 mutation, my oncologist changed the choice of chemo drugs ordered for me.
I had a CT scan in June that showed a lesion on my liver, and my CA 19-9 has been rising slowly. I am scheduled for an MRI, to help evaluate the liver lesion, and a meeting with my doctor in mid-July, which will determine the next steps. Praise God!
Eighteen months after sharing her story. Susan passed away.
Challenged by side effects she continued to pursue treatments and
underwent genetic testing to find one that might make a difference.
We offer our deep sympathy to her family.
Dr. Robert Martin & Elise Tedeschi-Stage 3 … – Search (bing.com)
ConnJackson Dr. Robert Martin & Elise Tedeschi-Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer – YouTube
Kay Kays | A 29-Year Pancreatic Cancer Survivor (seena magowitz foundation.org)
Maria Menounos opens up about pancreatic cancer diagnosis – YouTube
‘Tumors just vanished’: Cancer patients now in remission after drug trial – YouTube
Treatment with the immunotherapy dostarlimab showed promising results in a small trial of more than a dozen rectal cancer patients, according to new research, but further study is needed and it is too early to call it a cure. CNN’s Erin Burnett speaks to Dr. Andrea Cercek, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Please consider sending this video link to your oncologist /doctors as they may be unaware of this new drug, sending you good luck and blessings, this is great news!
I thought my body would never be the same again, but you fixed it. My heartiest gratitude my cancer is no more, this world needs more people like you.
God bless you
No argument from me on that. However, in these particular colon
cancer patients there is an immune system deficiency in their DNA.
But again, you are so right! Well over 50% of us are obese and an alarming number
of us are morbidly obese from eating processed foods, too many carbs, not enough fruits and vegetables that have the micronutrients that are crucial to a healthy immune system.
This creates massive profits not only for the processed food industry but also for hospitals and especially pharmaceutical corporations who love to sell us more pills.
Dr. Zhaoping Li: Nutritional Myths With Pancreatic Cancer – YouTube
Pancreatic Cancer: A Beautiful Story of Survival – YouTube
Patients reportedly beating cancer with just one tablet a day | 9 News Australia – YouTube
Brain cancer survivor working with lawmakers to boost cancer prevention efforts Microsoft News ABC15 Phoenix, AZ 7 hours ago – Search (bing.com)
The cancer prevention diet: 6 smart tips from a nutritionist on what to eat and why — and what to avoid (msn.com)
Brain cancer survivor raises funds for the community in hopes to decrease violence in the Triad (msn.com)
Brain cancer survivor working with lawmakers to boost cancer prevention efforts (abc15.com)
I’m A Breast Cancer Survivor. Here’s What I Wish I’d Known About Self-Checks (msn.com)
The 5 Longevity Exercises a Physical Therapist Recommends To Stay Strong and Pain-Free As You Age—No Equipment Required (msn.com)
The cancer prevention diet: 6 smart tips from a nutritionist on what to eat and why — and what to avoid (msn.com)
Cancer cure by miracle drug Dostarlimab | Know all about Dostarlimab | Oneindia News *explainer – YouTube
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