Long term NED with only chemo?

Teelee3

I am stage 4 with inoperable lymph node Mets. I just had six rounds of folfiri with avastin and my scan showed that all lymph node Mets have been resolved. My oncologist gave me the option of doing a couple more rounds of chemo or to stop now. We decided to go with the “don’t treat what you don’t see” route and I stopped the chemo. I was having some pretty severe side effects.
I’m wondering if anyone here has gotten to to long term NED with only chemo? I’m sure hoping to keep these from coming back for as long as possible.

GregP_WN

Each type of cancer has a proven treatment protocol with a track record of what works best. They suggest these based on research and real-world results from doctors all over the world. Your doctor is not just thinking this stuff up and saying "let's try this". I've had 4, I had chemo and radiation on the first one, relapse in 6 months, the second was only chemo, stayed clean for 18 years, new dx then. That one was treated with surgery and radiation only, no chemo. The last one is being treated with only surgery. So I've had them all. You can't say that one will or won't work, but you can take the averages of thousands of people that have been there before you. I wish you long term years of clean living! Enjoy your post-cancer life and make the most of it.

Teelee3

Thanks Greg! That’s very hopeful.

LiveWithCancer

I am not NED, but my tumors are stable. A year ago, my oncologist and I decided to stop treatment and take a "watch and see" approach. I haven't been scanned since January, but as of that last scan, the tumors were staying put and all was well ... and I have no reason to believe that is going to change when I finally get scanned again in June.

Before this pandemic hit, we were doing quarterly scans to keep a pretty close eye on how things were going ... so we could get treatments started again right away if there was growth ...

Teelee3

Stable is good...I remember someone saying that what wasn’t growing won’t kill you. Thanks for your response

alivenwell

I am long term NED. I had 2 cancerous lymph nodes removed followed by 6 months of Folfox.
It has not come back. I sometimes think that our diet can have a major impact on our health. Try to mend your health with diet. I am reading more proven methods to fight cancer with stress management, healthy food and better lifestyle choices. Several years ago, I went to a fitness center to build up strength. I just left that fitness center out of fear of catching Corona. I am lifting weights at home and taking a daily walk. I got a smart watch that keeps track of my statistics. Get an oximeter to keep track of oxygen levels.
Good luck on being your health proponent.

JaneA

I am a 5-year Stage IV rectal cancer survivor. For colorectal cancer, the best chances of remaining NED always include surgery. The problem is that a CT scan can't see minute specs of remaining cancer cells - that's why it's NED - no "evidence" of disease. Every person's diagnosis is a little bit different, but in general, having surgery is the best way to attain a durable remission in colorectal cancer.

GregP_WN

I'll admit I didn't go back and read my previous answer, but when I read the question again I may have answered wrong anyway.. My answer is YES, you CAN have NED long term with only chemo. I did twice. My best to you!!