Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC
I get these hunches. Call it intuition, inkling, or whatever you want. The tumor was growing again. For several weeks my snooze alarm was getting tapped more frequently. Not even Matt Bellamy motivated me to get up. After changing the ring tone to Muse’s Super Massive Black Hole at full volume, I still went back to sleep. I spent a lot of time on my meditation cushion in stillness calling on my inner reserve and the Spirit of God to renew my mind and heal my body. So much peace surrounded me. But there was a sense that I was preparing for something.
During my 3 months transplant screening, sure enough, the tumor showed up. I had the Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and it knocked that sucker out for a while. But I understood that a recurrent or residual tumor could grow again. My medical team swung into action. My interventional radiologist, Dr. Malloy at Integris has a plan.
Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) can be like Whackamole. For some, the tumors go away, for others like me, they might pop up again.
Interventional Radiologists build a bridge to transplant. Keeping the tumors small enough to stay within the Milan Criteria is their job. That is really our best option with HCC. Treating those tumors means he has to have a lot of tricks up his sleeve. Well, he calls them options.
Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC
Options! Yes, there are always glorious life saving options!
It’s time to change tunes to Paul Simon. When I was 13, daddy and I sang harmony to every song on Bridge Over Troubled Waters album.
Aren’t the teen years just hard? I remember being the last one of my friends to need a bra. I was the last one to get kissed. My arms hung down to my knees. Daddy drank too much and mama cried a lot. I took on more and more responsibility. But at night, when the fighting died down, and the house was quiet, I lifted the arm on the turntable next to my bed.
“When you’re weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side. When times get rough and friend’s just can’t be found.
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.”
Interventional Radiologists build a bridge over the troubled water of cancer for us. I love that thought.
Other Options:
Cyrotherapeutic ablation or freezing the tumor won’t work because it’s too close to the important artery in my liver, and the risk of bleeding is too great with my messy end stage liver.
Percutaneous radio frequency ablation (RFA) is out too. They insert a needle and deliver waves that produces heat. The problem again is location to the arteries and gall bladder.
Microwave ablation heats up and burns the tumor out. But, you guessed it: the location and size is not good for that either.
Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC
Percutaneous Ethanol Injection. is what we’re going with. Like the TACE and other ablation procedures, an ultrasound or cat scan used to guide the needle. I will be under general anesthesia so it will be an overnight stay. Surgical radiology is a better term since they use little teeny tiny miniature surgical instruments.
So I go in to the hospital a few weeks ago and he welcomes me like I’m at his house. I half way expected his wife to bring out some cookies.
“When you’re down and out. When you’re on the street. When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you.”
At my appointment, he’s all excited to show me the tools he will use. He’s got my MRI pics pulled up on big screens. He smiles and exudes such confidence. I talked with the nurses and learned that Dr. Malloy greets everyone with respect and joy! He’s building the bridge in my mind to prep me for the bridge he builds in my liver.
They use a small needle that is about a 22 gauge. This makes it easier to get in and out with little or no bruising. Once it is in place right on the tumor he begins to give it an alcohol bath.
I’m Scared
Questions tumbled out about whether the tumor would “leak” or “seed” tumor cells into the rest of my body when he punctures it.
“I’ll take your part, when darkness comes and pain is all around.”
I trust Dr. Malloy with all my heart. I learned from him that primary liver tumors from HCC are encapsulated tumors. That means a super low risk of seeding. He told me that as he draws the needle out, he will do it slowly, dribbling Ethanol Alcohol as he withdraws. That leaves a deadly trail behind to dry out any cancer cells.
It is the least invasive procedure for me right now and has the bestest outcome. There are risks involved any time you go poking around in there especially since one tumor location is near my primary bililary duct, hepatitic vein, and gall bladder.
We don’t think about those.
“Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine? If you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind.”
We focus on how the alcohol causes the tumor cells to dry out. It works kind of like a dehydrator. The drying alters the cells and weakens the tumor structure. It can take a few sessions, but hopefully I’ll have a transplant before long!
Criteria for Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC
It has to be encapsulated and with well defined fibrous outer edges
Less than 3 cm
Not near the surface of the liver
I’m a candidate since I don’t have any ascites or jaundice. My liver is end stage, but compensated. Thanks to my liver loving diet, I plan on keeping it that way!
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.”
I hope this eases the mind of anyone with HCC and waiting for a transplant. It has eased mine writing about it today. This blog about Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC started and stopped several times. Ya gotta pic the days when you can delve into the dark places, right? I love all my besties and am overjoyed at all the prayers, love, and well wishes coming my way. Procedure is Monday.
We just radiate love and joy to each other, don’t we? That’s how we roll in the battle against HCV, cirrhosis, and HCC. MMMM Wah! xo Karen:)
12 thoughts on “Ethanol Alcohol Ablation for HCC”
You are very brave and positive.
Dear Joe, thank you so very much! Karen is the nicest person I have met. When she asked me to help out while she recovered from a procedure she had done, I was honored that she would ask me to help her. Thank you so much for writing to her. I know she appreciates, Dee
Wow Karen! What an excellent article! This should be required reading for doctors dealing with HCC patients. Sounds like you are not only blessed with an awesome “bubba” but a wonderful doctor as well. You absolutely radiate joy and love but you also radiate patience, knowledge, caring, positivity, and healing. Anyone newly diagnosed with HCC will greatly benefit from reading this article. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THOSE OF US IN THE HCV COMMUNITY THAT NEED THIS KNOWLEDGE! You are awesome!
Dear Pam, thanks so much for your note to Karen, I know that she appreciates very much. She is away for a bit and has honored me by asking if I would help her out for bit. My name is Dee. I agree with you, I just read Karen’s article and it helped me to understand what ablation is. She is a very brave, kind, caring woman. I admire her greatly. She is everything you say. I like how she has put all of this information together to help all of us. She is a miracle! Thank you so much for writing. I hope you are doing well. Dee
Thank you Karen for this wonderful explanation. I too grew up with Simon and Garfunkle and Bridge Over Troubled Water is such a great analogy. Although, Everything’ s Happening at the Zoo, may feel more appropriate. Your spirit and strength is so full of love and hope. I am so glad you have a doctor that inspires trust in you. That is so important. Sometimes mine leaves me in the dark or explains things with vague technical terms and I do not comprehend him. I have to come home and google his answer and then I find your articles and there it is, all explained. You are an angel on Earth. My mother was one. Everyone feels your angelic touch and just seeing, hearing, or reading your words lifts us up. Who is lifting you up? God lifts us all, so he must be giving you specific instructions and love while you are praying and meditating. Perhaps you do not even hear them, but we do. Angels are watching over you too. Praying for your Monday surgery proceedure to go well and for them to find you a liver that fits your needs. Loving you forever.
Hey Sheila! My name is Dee. I am a friend of Karen’s and helping her out. She got through her procedure with flying colors. I agree with you. Karen is so full of spirit, love, strength. Karen feels this is her calling, to help others through the maze of being ill. She gives me a lot of strength as well. I know she will see your note and feel so blessed, thank you so much. Dee
Love you Grace Warrior. I use to sing and cry to that song got me through many hard times in my troubled adolescent years.. Think of you daily and your courage
Dear Debbie, thank you so much…Grace Warrior, I like that. I also think in songs all the time. Songs have gotten me through some very rough times in my life. Thank you for writing, it is so nice to hear from everyone. Be well my friend
The song has always been one of my favorites but today it brought tears to my eyes knowing what you are going through. But I also know you are one of the most positive, determined people I have ever gotten to know. You are in my thoughts and my prayers. You are my friend and I hope you are recovering well tonight. God bless you and heal and bring you a new liver soon! Keep fighting the good fight!
Hello, my name is Dee, I am a friend of Karen’s. I am helping out for a bit while she recovers from her procedure. I am honored that she asked me to help
What a nice note you have sent. I know Karen appreciates it very much. She would say that you are her friend as well and she is recovering. She is also hoping that she receives the call very soon for her transplant. She is sorry she can’t write back right now, she is tired. Everyone on here gives her such gifts. What a blessing this site is to everyone. My best to you, Dee
Hi Karen,
What a writer you are! How you are able to express your thoughts and feelings amazes me. Reading your letters truly inspires me every time and teaches me great stuff as well. My best wishes and hopes are with you. You are definitely a survivor, among the best of them. I anxiously await your letter describing the success of your ethanol alcohol ablation. Please do it as soon as you are able. Isn’t it ironic that the enemy of all enemies to our livers, ethyl alcohol, will be a contributor to your treatment of and triumph over hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hello James! How are you? My name is Dee, I am a long time friend of Karen’s. We went through treatment for HCV together. Karen had her procedure on Monday, she is doing well but can’t respond right now. She has asked me to help out.
I agree with you, Karen is a gifted writer. I can feel what she is feeling as I read her thoughts. She is a survivor and I am sure she will update everyone when she feels up to it. I hope you are doing well, Dee
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