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Medullary Thyroid Cancer with Metastasis to the Liver and Chest Cavity

Allison Frey arrived at Fox Chase Cancer Center in 2002 when she was only 41 years old. Her local doctors were unable to diagnose a lump in her neck. Fortunately, a co-worker of her husband recommended she meet John A. Ridge, MD, a head and neck surgeon who specializes in treating patients with thyroid cancer.

"This was clearly the first sign that I had come to the right place!"

"The first time I met with Dr. Ridge, he examined me and informed me that I had cancer," Allison recalled. "I returned a week later and he explained my diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer, a rare form of thyroid cancer, which may have explained why the local lab and doctors were having difficulties with the diagnosis. This was clearly the first sign that I had come to the right place!"

Standard treatment for medullary thyroid cancer is surgery to remove the thyroid and the cancer. At Fox Chase, Allison decided to have Dr. Ridge perform surgery to remove her thyroid along with additional cancer on the left side of her neck.

"I received wonderful care from Dr. Ridge and everyone I met at Fox Chase."

About a year later, following additional surgery to remove tumors from Allison's chest cavity, Dr. Ridge shared his concern about lesions he saw on her liver. When cancer spreads to the liver and is contained in one area, it can be successfully removed surgically. In Allison's case, the cancer appeared in several places on her liver, thus making it inoperable.

"This was clearly not the news that I wanted to hear," admitted Allison. "But, on the bright side, the tumors were all very small and thankfully, my form of MTC is slow growing. Dr. Ridge informed me that there were many exciting studies being done with new drugs that attack cancer in new ways." Allison became very interested in learning more.

Watchful Waiting

Allison began a period of active surveillance, or "watchful waiting," where her doctors monitored Allison's cancer very carefully. She continued to have periodic checkups at which time Dr. Ridge would share new advances being made in the drug studies.

On her own, Allison began to research thyroid cancer clinical trials on the Internet to find out what was available and at which hospitals. She found an online e-mail group, specific to medullary thyroid cancer, where she learned more about exciting developments in research.

Allison was most impressed with Fox Chase's commitment to research and clinical trials.

Toward the end of 2005, almost 3 years after her diagnosis, Allison met with Dr. Ridge who had exciting news. "He told me that Fox Chase and Pfizer pharmaceutical would be sponsoring a phase II clinical trial for a drug called AG013736, now known as Axinitib," Allison explained. "The drug was already receiving positive feedback from earlier trials and I soon became number 1 on the waiting list at Fox Chase!" From all she had learned, Allison was most impressed with Fox Chase's commitment to research and clinical trials.

Allison decided to get a second opinion at a major cancer center in New York City. She wanted to ensure she was considering all of her options. "As it turned out, I was very lucky to have such a promising option with Fox Chase because there did not seem to be any other area hospitals providing useful options."

A few months later, Allison had her first meeting with oncologist, Roger Cohen, MD, director of the Phase I clinical trials program at Fox Chase, and her protocol nurse, Charlotte Cione. Allison underwent all of the testing required to establish her baseline numbers.

"I was stunned and very ready for this trial."

"I was shocked at how big those tiny liver lesions had become in 2 plus years and how high my cancer marker was," Allison shared. "I was stunned and very ready for this trial."

Today (2009), Allison is pleased to report that she has been taking Axinitib for over 3 years. She realized an approximate 65% decrease in tumor size within the first 6 to 9 months of the study. Since that time, the drug has kept her cancer stable.

Although Allison believes that the opportunity to participate in this trial is a blessing, it has not been without challenges. But through each challenge, Dr. Cohen, his physician assistant Beth Gilbert and Charlotte have presented Allison with solutions that worked well and enabled her to continue on the trial. She is extremely pleased to have this team of professionals supporting her.

Fox Chase recognizes the importance of research programs.

Allison's initial protocol concluded in late 2008, but she is still able to receive the drug through a "continuing access" protocol that was established. She is grateful Fox Chase Cancer Center for recognizing the importance of research programs like these and for finding ways to ensure that they are made available to their patients.

Allison summed it up, "This is not the end . . . I'm still going! More to report later."

Allison is married to Jim, with whom she celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary in November 2008. They have two children, age 16 and 20. Allison is a data architect for the Hess Corporation in New Jersey. She enjoys escaping to Florida to relax with her family.

Learn more about thyroid cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Learn more about clinical trials available at Fox Chase Cancer Center.