Melinda Bachini survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | bilirubin | hemngioma | cisplatin скачать в хорошем качестве

Melinda Bachini survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | bilirubin | hemngioma | cisplatin

In this inspiring episode of the Cancer Interviews Podcast, host Bruce Morton sits down with Melinda Bachini, a resilient mother of six and former paramedic from Billings, Montana, who defied the odds to survive Stage IV intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile ducts. Her powerful story is one of determination, cutting-edge science, and hope. What is Cholangiocarcinoma? Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that forms in the bile ducts. It’s categorized into intrahepatic (within the liver) and extrahepatic (outside the liver) types. Melinda’s case involved intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Symptoms often appear late and may be mistaken for other liver-related issues, such as bilirubin buildup or hemangioma, making early diagnosis challenging. Early Symptoms and Diagnosis Melinda’s journey began in 2010 when she experienced shoulder and upper gastric pain, initially chalking it up to the physical demands of her job. But a CT scan, MRI, and eventual biopsy confirmed she had cancer—though it took several weeks to determine it was cholangiocarcinoma. Treatment Journey: Chemotherapy, Surgery, and Beyond Doctors removed two-thirds of her liver, but the cancer quickly returned—first in her lungs, then back to her liver. She was diagnosed with Stage IV terminal cancer. She underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, including gemcitabine, cisplatin, and taxotere, all of which came with harsh side effects and limited success. The Turning Point: Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy Unwilling to accept a grim prognosis, Melinda fought to enter a clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) called GI-TIL—short for Gastrointestinal Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte therapy. She became the first patient with cholangiocarcinoma to participate. This experimental therapy involves surgically extracting tumors, growing T-cells (a type of lymphocyte) into the billions, and reintroducing them into the body to attack the cancer. Breakthrough Results with Immunotherapy After an intense three-to-four-week hospital stay and additional treatment with pembrolizumab, Melinda saw dramatic improvements. Her persistent cough disappeared. The tumors began to shrink. Follow-up care included personalized T-cell targeting, and her final treatment was in March 2017. Life After Cancer – Advocacy and Giving Back Today, Melinda Bachini is not just a survivor—she’s a beacon of hope for others. She serves as the Chief Patient Officer at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, where she supports newly diagnosed patients and raises awareness for this rare disease. Topics Covered in This Episode: The signs and symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma Differences between intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma Chemotherapy protocols: gemcitabine, cisplatin, and taxotere The science behind tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (TIL) The role of hepatocytes and the immune system in cancer The emotional toll of a Stage IV diagnosis Clinical trials and how they can offer hope How Melinda’s work with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is making a difference Additional Resources The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation – Support, education, and resources for patients and caregivers. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Cancer Interviews Podcast for more real stories from cancer survivors and updates on breakthroughs in cancer treatment and immunotherapy. #MelindaBachini #Cholangiocarcinoma #IntrahepaticCholangiocarcinoma #ExtrahepaticCholangiocarcinoma #TumorInfiltratingLymphocyteTherapy #Gemcitabine #Cisplatin #Taxotere #BileDuctCancer #CancerSurvivor #BruceMorton #CancerPodcast #Immunotherapy #Pembrolizumab #Hepatocytes #Bilirubin #Hemangioma #NCI #CancerResearch Attach Search Voice No file chosenNo file chosen ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.