WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st, 2019
Today, Chris had his blood draw and meeting with Dr. Shah. At the meeting, Dr. Shah discussed Chris's PET scan results from Monday.
His PET scan looks significantly better, but there is still some residual disease. Additionally, there are two new areas of concern; one in the left axillary lymphatic region and a second in the prevascular (chest) lymphatic region. They are relatively small, but were not noted on the first PET scan. Also of concern is that one of the areas of affected in his abdomen has worsened.
As a result, Chris is getting a biopsy of the left axillary lymph node of concern today. He will also have a LP tomorrow to check his CSF for involvement again. The possible involvement of his retina makes CSF involvement concerning.
Chris will not be starting chemo today. Dr. Shah will be changing Chris's chemo regimen based on the results of the biopsy, LP, and meeting with the ocular oncologist on Monday. We will be meeting with Dr. Shah on Tuesday next week.
If Chris's retina is not involved in the lymphoma, he will start a gemcitabine/ cisplatin chemo regimen; this is a standard chemo regimen for relapsed or refractory lymphoma.
If his retina is involved, he will start a regimen of Hyper CVAD; Hyper-CVAD is a combination treatment used to treat some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The drugs involved in Hyper-CVAD include some that are able to affect the CNS via IV infusion, which would be the reason for going this route.
Chris will undergo two rounds of the new chemo regimen, once it is decided; likely still 3 weeks apart. And will then have another PET scan to assess his response. If Chris is in complete or partial (only a small area of residual lesion burden remaining) remission, they would then do an autologous stem cell transplant.
If he is chemo-refractory, they would move to CAR-T treatment, which is essentially harvesting his T-cells, genetically modifying them to attack his B-cells, and then give them back to him.
I know it's a lot of information. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I will continue to update as things progress.
Thanks for the continued support and prayers.
V
Today, Chris had his blood draw and meeting with Dr. Shah. At the meeting, Dr. Shah discussed Chris's PET scan results from Monday.
His PET scan looks significantly better, but there is still some residual disease. Additionally, there are two new areas of concern; one in the left axillary lymphatic region and a second in the prevascular (chest) lymphatic region. They are relatively small, but were not noted on the first PET scan. Also of concern is that one of the areas of affected in his abdomen has worsened.
As a result, Chris is getting a biopsy of the left axillary lymph node of concern today. He will also have a LP tomorrow to check his CSF for involvement again. The possible involvement of his retina makes CSF involvement concerning.
Chris will not be starting chemo today. Dr. Shah will be changing Chris's chemo regimen based on the results of the biopsy, LP, and meeting with the ocular oncologist on Monday. We will be meeting with Dr. Shah on Tuesday next week.
If Chris's retina is not involved in the lymphoma, he will start a gemcitabine/ cisplatin chemo regimen; this is a standard chemo regimen for relapsed or refractory lymphoma.
If his retina is involved, he will start a regimen of Hyper CVAD; Hyper-CVAD is a combination treatment used to treat some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The drugs involved in Hyper-CVAD include some that are able to affect the CNS via IV infusion, which would be the reason for going this route.
Chris will undergo two rounds of the new chemo regimen, once it is decided; likely still 3 weeks apart. And will then have another PET scan to assess his response. If Chris is in complete or partial (only a small area of residual lesion burden remaining) remission, they would then do an autologous stem cell transplant.
If he is chemo-refractory, they would move to CAR-T treatment, which is essentially harvesting his T-cells, genetically modifying them to attack his B-cells, and then give them back to him.
I know it's a lot of information. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I will continue to update as things progress.
Thanks for the continued support and prayers.
V
Praying for you Chris and family.
ReplyDeletePraying for you Chris and family.
ReplyDelete