Tag: Laparoscopic surgery

Surgery done with the aid of a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease. Also called laparoscopic-assisted resection. Keyhole surgery

12Apr 2023 by Ronny Allan No Comments

Piss off cancer, it’s 12 years since my liver surgery!

Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, Treatment

I'm still here I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no idea what the outcome would be. What I did know at the time, given the final staging, grading, and other damage that was accumulated via various tests, checks, and scans; is that my body had been slowly dying. Without intervention I may not be here now to tell you this tale and who knows what would be listed on my death certificate. It’s amazing to think something that would eventually kill me without intervention, didn’t have a much grander announcement than the one presented to me in 2010 (or had I been paying more attention, in 2008 or 2009). I will never know if a much…

12Apr 2016 by Ronny Allan 12 Comments

Neuroendocrine Cancer – my liver surgery

Treatment

Laparoscopic Surgery ("Keyhole") From day 1 of my diagnosis, I knew my liver was going to need some attention, but I had always known that total removal of all tumours would not be possible - the diagnostic scan confirmed I had an incurable disease. This critical organ did in fact produce the biopsy confirming Neuroendocrine Cancer. The early scans indicated multiple liver lesions and an Octreotide scan reported several with quite avid isotope activity.However, as you can see from my clinical history, they first stabilised my syndrome via daily Octreotide so my tumours were subdued ready for major surgery which took place Nov 2010 - I wrote about this as Part 1 and Part 2 stories. As we are talking about my liver, it's worth noting that a bland Liver…

What is Chromogranin A? Chromogranin A (CgA) is an acidic protein released along with catecholamines from chromaffin cells and nerve terminals. This statement alone might explain why it’s a good marker to use with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. It is said to be a measure of tumour bulk. Depending on the test kit being used, you may […]

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Catch them early, not late!

Diagnosing Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs). It’s no secret that Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) can be difficult to diagnose, particularly well differentiated slow growing types (NETs) which can sometimes be difficult to see. Plus, many patients present with relatively routine day to day symptoms suggesting a myriad of day-to-day illnesses seen daily in every GP/PCP practice. But conversely, […]

A spotlight on Rectal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

What are Rectal NENs Rectal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) (rNENs) account for approximately 1-2% of all primary cancers in the rectum. The other main cancer types found in the rectum are regular adenocarcinomas (the vast majority) and some other rare types including Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and Lymphoma. The vast majority of rNENs will be well […]

Clinical Trial: Novel Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Antagonist Labelled With Terbium-161 (161Tb-DOTA-LM3) (Beta plus)

A new clinical trial post. What is Terbium-161 (161Tb-DOTA-LM3) (Beta plus). Terbium-161 is a radioactive substance. DOTA-LM3 is a novel somatostatin antagonist targeted using somatostatin receptor number 2 (SSTR2). Combined they form a radioligand for use in Pepetide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). It’s a beta emitter but labelled ‘plus’ on the basis it offers more […]

Repeat after me: Maria Menounos has Neuroendocrine Cancer

Like many people from outside USA, I don’t really know anything about Maria Menounos. For those in the same boat, let me confirm she is a very well-known personality in USA. A journalist, television presenter and actress. She has hosted Extra and E! News; she was a TV correspondent for Today, Access Hollywood, and co-hosted […]