MRI Results

Claire's MRI was completed on Monday around 5:00 pm. We met this morning with our lead oncologist at Sutter to discuss results. The images provided a good news/bad news scenario. The good news is that there is no dissimination of disease and her spine is clear. We will not have pathology on her spinal fluid until Wednesday. The bad news was that the original enhancing tumor has actually grown. The growth is not substantial but the fact it remains viable tumor after the radiation treatment is of concern. More good news was that becouse the tumor has remained local she still has treatment options. Tommorow she will begin a planned 6 month chemo protocol using 2 new drugs (existing agents, just "new" for Claire). Our oncologist feels that she will tolerate this treatment. Time will tell. She has also been accepted as a candidate for Gamma Knife Surgery. Gamma Board met this morning and agreed that this is a good option for Claire's tumor at this point. We have begun the authorazation process and expect her to undergo this procedure in 2 weeks. Gamma Knife is a very finite use of radiation directed directly on the tumor, avoiding other brain tissue. Not normally used in treating S-PNET's but with Claire's disease remaining a local problem, it is now a realistic option. We will be meeting with the lead radio-oncologist at UCDAVIS today at 3:30 pm to discuss her opinion of the results.

So we continue the fight. We are looking at the positive side of the results, most importantly that Claire has options. We are extremely happy and anxious to meet the Dr.'s to discuss and schedule the Gamma Knife treatment. We will update soon.