Histotripsy/HAI Pump
Hi all,
I currently have an HAI pump which was placed late January this year. After my first 3 month scan, it is showing response. I have multiple liver mets and the largest is around 6cm, in an inoperable location.
I have had a consultation with Dr. Kevin Burns out in California, from what I have read in numerous places...he is one of the best. He said I was a candidate to go after the smaller lesions and attack the bigger ones to help kill them and make them smaller. I would of course still have my HAI pump do it's thing.
My liver surgeon who I trust very much was adamant that I cannot have histotripsy and was upset that Dr. Burns said I was a candidate. He said the treatment is new (which I know), and there isn't a lot of data yet. I am a nurse practitioner with decades of surgical experience and critical care knowledge, so I know how to find and read studies. I have seen many promising studies on the efficacy of histotripsy, and it's safety profile. I KNOW it' isn't curative in my instance, but can help get me to being resectable.
Anyways I am just confused and surprised my liver surgeon was so against it. He said since I am responding to the HAI very well, I should continue that and truly be looking toward transplant ultimately to give me the best outcome. Mind you, my oncologist (who is also amazing) has been the one directing me to now look at other procedures due to my liver responding to the HAI pump. He also said Y90 is not an option while I have the HAI pump, because I cannot have both at the same time.
My question is, has anyone here had an HAI pump AND histotripsy? (or any other procedure)? Can you share?
Thank you so much.