has anyone done this , i just had a second opinion and it sems i may be a candidate for this all depends on my next scan .
thanks
Hello
Never heard of it. What is it?
RFA is it ablation for which part of you - liver?? Is it a possibility … not much on the internet??
Dear Tracy1964
I had RFA to my liver in August 06. I had a single tumour in my liver and it is quite a simple procedure with little discomfort/recovery time. I had it done under a general anaesthetic which is why I had to stay over night but there is only a tiny incission mark (small plaster only required) and normal pain killers for a couple of days and sort of rested (have a 6 yr old !). I was ref to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. For mine I think they must have suspended me somehow and I did have a sore neck and elbows for a few days but I got back to normal within a couple of days.
Hope this helps -
Love
Jetty
Hi Jetty
What does RFA stand for? Think something, something ablation, but no ideas on RF?? I have, I think, 2 tumours on liver, but no idea on size or grade, and we are going to ask onc about resection and ablation when we can, and if he is not having any of it, we are going to ask for second opinion from liver surgeon.
Can I ask how you are now and how your liver has reacted etc. Sorry to be nosey, but this is the worst part of my cancer to me, knowing it has spread. Dx with bc on 16 July and told 10 days later had already spread to liver. Am trying to get as much info as I can, so know a little of what I am talking (LOL). I have a 10 month old and 3 yr old, and want to do anything/everything to help myself. Even want masectomy, but dont think this is an option. Herceptin for a year after chemo and only half way through chemo.
Thanks for listening and any advice or information is GRATEFULLY received.
Love
Dawn
x
Hi folks
Sorry to butt in but found myself intrigued by this question of what RFA stands for. As you said googling it didn’t help much so tried R F Ablation and got a few hits. Apparently, it stands for Radiofrequency Ablation. Hope that helps you find the info you want.
God bless.
Christay
Dear Dawn,
Christay is right it stands for Radio Frequencey Ablation and I think it all depends on size and location of tumours as to whether you are able to have it. I think also that the ‘disease needs to be stable’. I had finished chemo in March 06 and had been stable since then so I fell into the right category. I too was the same as you and my liver tumour worried me more than the tumours in my breast,spine,ribs and pelvis. However, you must be aware that once you have liver ‘disease’ even after RFA you are still classed as having it even though the liver may appear clear. My scans since have been OK and the area that was treated shows no signs of tumour. You can also have it on other tumours I think ie. Breast as long as it is a solid tumour but they don’t tend to do this - not sure why. I am still stable at the mo.
My Liver Function test went high after the treatment but then came back down again and to be honest it didn’t seem to make any difference to me - if I hadn’t have had the test I wouldn’t have noticed anything different. I am the same as you and need to stay alive for as long as I can for my daughter and thats my motivation.I also try not to beat myself up when I am feeling down/negative I allow myself my bad days just in the same way as I allow myself good days. At the end of the day what will be will be and I had two years of councelling to let go and accept that I can’t control a lot of things that happen.
Started to waffle so will sign off now. Hope the above helps and good luck.
Jetty :0)
Hi
I’ve had RFA back in june I had 2 tumours positioned in very awkard places, the performed the RFA on the easier of the 2 tumours and my scan showed that only dead scar tisssue is visable on CT, the other tumour seems to have dissapeared for now of its own accord - Like jetty I had it at the Chelsea and Westminster under the care of Dr McCole, I had my op done at the C&W and was trax back to The Royal Marsden after ( which is where I am a patient) because my tumour was in an awkard place, I was positioned awkardly in the CT scanner during the op and it left me with no movement in my left arm for several days, but its all back to normal now, I will admit the site of entry ( where there is only a pin prick of a scar) is still a bit sore - but its a small price pay!
There are lots of criterias for this op - and if it looks at all possable that you can have it, I would grab the chance, usually your tumour has to be satalite and not scattered or clstered, under 4cm with less than 4 of them and in certain areas of your liver.
Good luck
(email me from the other board if you need to)
Love Amber x