Primary HCC with large tumor

Antonyv

One of my dear friends has primary liver cancer (Fibrolamellar HCC) with large tumor >14cm.
No metastasis or cirrhosis or jaundice. Just wanted to know if anyone else is in same situation and whats the prognosis. Due to size, there are no treatment options according to doctor.

HeartofSoul

you may find url and data
you may find url and data below helpful

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec03/ch029/ch029d.html#sec03-ch029-ch029d-602a



Mortality/Morbidity
The population-based relative survival of patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma in the United States is 73% at 1 year and 32% at 5 years.15 In contrast, hepatocellular carcinoma relative survival is 26% at 1 year and 7% at 5 years.15 However, these figures include death from all causes. For example, because hepatocellular carcinoma patients tend to be older than those with fibrolamellar carcinoma, they may be at higher risk of death related to medical comorbidities (eg, heart disease or stroke). Nevertheless, even when only patients younger than 40 years are analyzed, fibrolamellar carcinoma still appears to have a better prognosis than typical hepatocellular carcinoma.15

More importantly, fibrolamellar carcinoma usually occurs in the setting of a normal liver parenchyma, while typical hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in the setting of a cirrhotic liver 80% of the time. Because cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for mortality, the observed difference in survival between fibrolamellar carcinoma and typical hepatocellular carcinoma may not in fact reflect differences in tumor biology or cancer-specific mortality.7 Two studies have found that fibrolamellar carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in children have similar prognoses and responses to therapy.17,18 Two studies in adults have found that fibrolamellar carcinoma and typical hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotics have similar prognoses after resection,19,20 supporting the viewpoint that the survival differences seen in older groups may be confounded by competing causes of death.


Systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver: A retrospective study

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2655175/

stage4liver

HeartofSoul said:

you may find url and data
you may find url and data below helpful

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec03/ch029/ch029d.html#sec03-ch029-ch029d-602a



Mortality/Morbidity
The population-based relative survival of patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma in the United States is 73% at 1 year and 32% at 5 years.15 In contrast, hepatocellular carcinoma relative survival is 26% at 1 year and 7% at 5 years.15 However, these figures include death from all causes. For example, because hepatocellular carcinoma patients tend to be older than those with fibrolamellar carcinoma, they may be at higher risk of death related to medical comorbidities (eg, heart disease or stroke). Nevertheless, even when only patients younger than 40 years are analyzed, fibrolamellar carcinoma still appears to have a better prognosis than typical hepatocellular carcinoma.15

More importantly, fibrolamellar carcinoma usually occurs in the setting of a normal liver parenchyma, while typical hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in the setting of a cirrhotic liver 80% of the time. Because cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for mortality, the observed difference in survival between fibrolamellar carcinoma and typical hepatocellular carcinoma may not in fact reflect differences in tumor biology or cancer-specific mortality.7 Two studies have found that fibrolamellar carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in children have similar prognoses and responses to therapy.17,18 Two studies in adults have found that fibrolamellar carcinoma and typical hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotics have similar prognoses after resection,19,20 supporting the viewpoint that the survival differences seen in older groups may be confounded by competing causes of death.


Systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver: A retrospective study

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2655175/

I just had a 13.5cm tumor
I just had a 13.5cm tumor surgically resected 2 months ago without clean margins. Unfortunately they found more and am in the process of getting embolization of my liver in a couple weeks as surgery is no longer an option for me. I havent decided chemo or bland yet. Prognosis is never good with HCC especially with large tumors and a 14cm tumor is definitely large. Typically they will give you around a year or so BUT no one can predict when you will die, only God knows that answer. I also just read an article of a stage4 liver cancer patient that is still alive 6years later, now thats not the typical but some can beat it and i beleive he had very little treatment options and surgery wasnt one of them!! I beleive his 14cm is automatically stage4 because of the size as was my intial diagnosis at 13.5cm before they found the others.

Prayers and best wishes to your friend.

Tina Blondek

Welcome
So sorry that you do have to come here, but welcome to our family. I was a caregiver for my dad. He recently passed away in March from ec with mets to the liver. He just turned 71. It does depend on the individual. Everyone is different, everyone responds to treatment differently. If this dr. says there are not treatment options, go get a second opinion. Where does your friend live? There are many wonderful cancer centers throughout the usa. Do not give up hope just yet. Keep in touch, we will be here for you.
Tina

slg

stage4liver said:

I just had a 13.5cm tumor
I just had a 13.5cm tumor surgically resected 2 months ago without clean margins. Unfortunately they found more and am in the process of getting embolization of my liver in a couple weeks as surgery is no longer an option for me. I havent decided chemo or bland yet. Prognosis is never good with HCC especially with large tumors and a 14cm tumor is definitely large. Typically they will give you around a year or so BUT no one can predict when you will die, only God knows that answer. I also just read an article of a stage4 liver cancer patient that is still alive 6years later, now thats not the typical but some can beat it and i beleive he had very little treatment options and surgery wasnt one of them!! I beleive his 14cm is automatically stage4 because of the size as was my intial diagnosis at 13.5cm before they found the others.

Prayers and best wishes to your friend.

Stage4Liver/13.5 cm
Hi,
My husband has had numerous tumors and has had the transarterial chemoemboliztion twice. He has shown good results. His tumor markers have gone down to the normal range. He is also on Nexavar/sorafenib; has been since January. Between the two he is doing pretty good. Some side effects with the Nexavar but so far managable.
If you need more info on the TACE procedure feel free to email slg72@aol.com.
SLG

inlovingmemorygtw2010

answer
My dad had liver cancer not as a primary-with an unknown site. He had 3 tumors-2 in one lobe and 1 in another-which makes it inoperable. The 2 tumors were small, but the other was very large-6 cm. They gave him 6-9 months after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He went through 1 round of chemo which totally killed his immune system. He then came down with an infection and he passed away 5 weeks after being diagnosed. I really think it depends on the sitution. My adivce is to not get chemo if there is no chance of survival and live your life.

lcarn

stage4liver said:

I just had a 13.5cm tumor
I just had a 13.5cm tumor surgically resected 2 months ago without clean margins. Unfortunately they found more and am in the process of getting embolization of my liver in a couple weeks as surgery is no longer an option for me. I havent decided chemo or bland yet. Prognosis is never good with HCC especially with large tumors and a 14cm tumor is definitely large. Typically they will give you around a year or so BUT no one can predict when you will die, only God knows that answer. I also just read an article of a stage4 liver cancer patient that is still alive 6years later, now thats not the typical but some can beat it and i beleive he had very little treatment options and surgery wasnt one of them!! I beleive his 14cm is automatically stage4 because of the size as was my intial diagnosis at 13.5cm before they found the others.

Prayers and best wishes to your friend.

treatment location
I just learned of a friend's young nephew diagnosed with a 10cm tumor FHCC - they cannot operate and are exploring what to do next. Would you be willing to share where you were treated?