I have been reading [in Sciscoop about the] new cancer drug called avastin. I have a synovial sarcoma, a cancerous tumor in my right foot. I have been told that if I have the cancer cut out, I would lose all use of my foot, because of the location of this tumor. I went to a podiatrist and had the tumor removed a year ago. It was the size of a golf ball. It was totally encapsulated and growing out of the muscle. Now the tumor has come back, still encapsulated. I have went through ct scans, x-rays, and mri's. So far it isn't anywhere else. This cancer is known to spread to the lungs, and lymph nodes. In one week I am scheduled to have my foot amputated March 31st. If you think or know of anything being used on this type of cancer please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to do without my foot.
First off, let me say I am not a medical doctor. Your current caregiver's recommendation about amputating your foot may unfortunately be the best course of action to save your life. Choosing not to follow this recommendation and pursuing some other experimental course of action you've read about entails some big, big personal risks.
Clinical trials are the way modern medical science advances and new drugs and treatments are developed. However, there are several things to remember about clinical trials. They primarily exist to gather scientific data for the good of society in general; they do not generally exist to help any individual in particular. There is no guarantee whatsoever that an experimental procedure will treat your affliction any better than existing treatments or indeed have any beneficial effect at all. Also, many clinical trials involve only half of the participants receiving an experimental treatment, with the other half receiving no treatment at all for comparison purposes. Thus participating in a clinical trial might very well allow your affliction to worsen because it is receiving no effective treatment at all.
You are obviously in a difficult time in your life, and I wish you well in your struggle. Whatever happens, consider participating in a group like Sarcoma Alliance. Two of my cousins have suffered from breast cancer, one fatally and one still fighting it. They both believed it very important not to let their cancer spread to their smile. Reaching out to those who understand and share your tribulations can help. Good luck.