Strike 2

When I first discovered Devascularization as a potential cure I was very sceptical. It failed the only clinical trial and for me that was evidence enough and I moved on. It was not until later, when I came across laser ablation and the immune response this triggered, that everything clicked into place. I realised that Devascularization and Laser Ablation, where blood vessels are cauterized, causing cancer cells to die from starvation rather than apoptosis worked on the same principle.

I revisited Devascularization, I read the clinical trial in detail, I searched for more evidence, case studies etc. I talked to former patients, doctors that performed the procedure and vets who currently use it as the standard treatment for cancer in the Czech Republic. The more I researched, the more I became convinced that I was onto something. Over 800 patients had the procedure before it became illegal, with virtually no serious side effects from the surgery. The clinical trial also showed that the procedure is safe, even on very ill, terminal patients. The clinical trial I came to realise, had no chance of showing a positive result, because of the type of patients selected. This procedure needs a healthy immune system to work and terminal patients after several lines of failed chemo do not have much of an immune system left.

I gathered my evidence and approached a few Australian colorectal surgeons. I assumed they would be just as excited as me after reading the case studies, animal trials and the current success in veterinary medicine. After all this could help 1000’s of cancer patients who have no other chance for a cure. How naive of me. The first surgeon I saw said that he skimmed over the documentation (would be nice had he actually read even the summary) and concluded that the risk of a septic reaction from leaving a chunk of necrotic tissue in situ was too great and refused to have anything to do with the procedure. Septic Reaction really? There are over 800 case studies that say otherwise.

Strike two, a second colorectal surgeon I saw today. This one came across as quite arrogant. Refused to discuss it and every time I tried, he cut me off and just repeated that its not going to happen as there has been no phase 3 trial.

When I discussed this procedure with a researcher that was involved in the Laser Ablation study, he said that the science behind it made sense, and he recommended that I should have it done, if there is no other traditional path to a cure. He did however warn me that no Australian surgeon was going to touch this. I was more optimistic then, now I am not.

For me its a no brainer. I am convinced that the procedure is safe and that there is little to no risk of a septic reaction. It will get rid of the primary tumour in the same way as a traditional colon resection. The bonus is that if the necrotizing tumour, when left in situ, does indeed create a sustained immune response as research suggests, this has the potential to clear all my mets and provide a cure. But I guess none of the colorectal surgeons give a damn.

All I can do for now, is drool over the numerous case studies showing a complete response. I am still hoping that I can find a surgeon curious enough to give this procedure a try, but I doubt that it will be anyone in Australia.