Liver Mets.

NJC
NJC Member Posts: 73 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
We received the scan results last week and it turns out there is actually 15-20 mets in the liver. According to Dr. Bartlett, they have shrunk very little but they know the chemo has had a marginal effect due to a slight decline in CEA.

Anyway, the plan is to have the Isolated Hepatatic Perfusion (IHP) followed by implanting the Hepatatic Arterial Infusion Pump (HAI). This is a surgical clinical trial of Dr. Bartletts that will determine the efficacy of combining both therapies for non resectability of liver mets.

They are expecting the pump to be in place for the next 6-12m all the while she will still receive her systemic chemo every two weeks.

My question to those of you with multiple liver mets, how many did you have, what has been your course of treatment and what is your current status with the mets? As a final qualifier, are you at a major teaching hospital?

Much appreciate it. Happy Holidays!

-Joe

Comments

  • amyb15
    amyb15 Member Posts: 109 Member
    #2
    joe
    what hospital do you go
    joe
    what hospital do you go to. my sister has multiple, non resectable liver mets. does she mets anywhere else. when was her diagnosis. we are exploring different options at this time and any info would be great

    amy
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #3
    Joe
    Dear Joe,
    I had numerous mets to the liver. My chemo regime (avastin (only 4 rounds of that one I believe) oxiplatinin and Xeloda) has shrunk all except two mets to none existence. I am having surgery on the two remaining mets. It was the mets to the liver that had originally made my case hopeless.
    Let me tell you, nothing is hopeless. I was told I would be non-resectable, I'm getting my surgery, I will survive.
    I'm unsure about the HP regime, but I think from what I've heard that it is a good thing.
    My surgery will be done at a teaching hospital (Stanford) which is in the top ten cancer treatment centers, however my onc, has been out of a small (now three onc's, when I started just two)partnership. He's one of the most intense concerned doctor's I have ever met in my life. He takes the time to care, that I think was most important in my treatment.
    Wishing and prayers for the best for your wife and you.
    Winter Marie
  • NJC
    NJC Member Posts: 73 Member
    #4
    amyb15 said:

    joe
    what hospital do you go
    joe
    what hospital do you go to. my sister has multiple, non resectable liver mets. does she mets anywhere else. when was her diagnosis. we are exploring different options at this time and any info would be great

    amy

    Hello Amy,
    She was diagnosed
    Hello Amy,

    She was diagnosed in September of this year. We are currently at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center- Hillman Cancer Center.

    Dr. Bartlett is one of the top surgeons in the country. Not sure of where you are from but I would suggest that you get yourself to one of the major university teaching hospitals in your area and go from there.

    Best of luck to you!

    -Joe
  • NJC
    NJC Member Posts: 73 Member
    #5
    herdizziness said:

    Joe
    Dear Joe,
    I had numerous mets to the liver. My chemo regime (avastin (only 4 rounds of that one I believe) oxiplatinin and Xeloda) has shrunk all except two mets to none existence. I am having surgery on the two remaining mets. It was the mets to the liver that had originally made my case hopeless.
    Let me tell you, nothing is hopeless. I was told I would be non-resectable, I'm getting my surgery, I will survive.
    I'm unsure about the HP regime, but I think from what I've heard that it is a good thing.
    My surgery will be done at a teaching hospital (Stanford) which is in the top ten cancer treatment centers, however my onc, has been out of a small (now three onc's, when I started just two)partnership. He's one of the most intense concerned doctor's I have ever met in my life. He takes the time to care, that I think was most important in my treatment.
    Wishing and prayers for the best for your wife and you.
    Winter Marie

    Winter Marie,
    Thanks for the
    Winter Marie,

    Thanks for the info. She was on FOLFOX +Avastin which seemed to work marginally so they are going to use that for the HAI Pump. The problem we have is that she is KRAS mutated so we're hoping that FOLFOX will show better efficacy once directed directly into the liver. If not, then she'll most likely be switched to FOLFIRI and then...... since there isn't anything else left for the mutants. But we're hopeful that it will clear a good portion of them up. Dr. Bartlett mentioned doing a partial rescection for two of the largest lessions on the left lobe, while in there, but said they may have to wait for another time since they will be giving her anti-coagulants for the IHP.

    -Joe
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #6
    NJC said:

    Winter Marie,
    Thanks for the
    Winter Marie,

    Thanks for the info. She was on FOLFOX +Avastin which seemed to work marginally so they are going to use that for the HAI Pump. The problem we have is that she is KRAS mutated so we're hoping that FOLFOX will show better efficacy once directed directly into the liver. If not, then she'll most likely be switched to FOLFIRI and then...... since there isn't anything else left for the mutants. But we're hopeful that it will clear a good portion of them up. Dr. Bartlett mentioned doing a partial rescection for two of the largest lessions on the left lobe, while in there, but said they may have to wait for another time since they will be giving her anti-coagulants for the IHP.

    -Joe

    Here's Hoping
    Here's hoping that the directly delivered to the liver will do the job.
    That's what I had two large lesions in left lobe, (all the others were very small)now they are almost non-detectable.
    Sounds like she's got excellent onc's!!
    Winter Marie
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #7
    Joe
    Joe,

    I was diagnosed with 5 bilobar liver mets. I went through 4 Folfox infusions and then had a scan that showed 30 % reduction in them (largest started out at 5 cm). I sheduled liver/colon surgery and then had one more Folfox infusion. Upon liver resection I had 70% and 90% necrosis. During surgery I also had an HAI pump implanted for adjuvant chemo. After surgery I had 6 HAI treatments (FUDR) along with systemic treatment (5FU only). My last chemo treatment was November 2009 and my CT in november 2010 indicated that I was still NED. My next scan is in January (2 yr scan).

    You can click on my username for more details. I am a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering and my oncologist is the one that pioneered the HAI treatment protocol. A number of others on the boards have also had HAI and they will probably post as well. Some are so far past treatment that they don't really heck in anymore here.

    I pray this treatment works for you wife. It would take me both hands and feet to count the number of people I have personally met who have become operable with this methodology. If you have any questions, please PM me. In the meantime as you prepare for her surgery I would consider juicing and exercising as much as possible. Check with your DR about juicing. There are many proponents of juicing and it has been part of my regimen since 2 weeks after my diagnosis. I did ask my DR abou how to help my body prevent recurrence and she said exercise (there are many studies about this). My oncologist is well-regarded in the colon cancer world and if she says it, I listen. I exercise 70% at max heartrate no less than 6 days per week (hour per day). I don't miss it. Even on Thanksgiving after I cleaned the kitchen I went into our basement and did a workout. There are other protocols pertaining to supplements but those should be discussed thoroughly with your doctor as they could contraindict chemo.

    Keep us posted on how everything goes. We are always here for you.

    Amy
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #8
    Best wishes
    I have no experience with this, but I wish you both best of luck and good wishes! I'm sure you will get much input from others.

    Best of hopes, Gail
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #9
    Joe
    I don't have the experience you are looking for but I wanted to wish you guys the very best of luck. And Happy Holidays too.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #10
    Hi Joe
    I had a similar situation. I was dx with stage IV colon cancer with mets to the liver and lungs in Feb 2004. I had mets in my liver that were right on the hepatic artery and therefore, surgery was not an option at that time. I went on a course of Avastin, right after it was approved for use by the FDA back in 2004 and did that for 5 months or so. Then my tumors shrunk enough so surgery was possible. I have been a patient of Dr Nancy Kemeny's since this all started. She had me use the HAI pump and that was installed during my initial surgery in Sept 2004. Luckily they only had to remove a relatively small section of my colon but they did take out about 60-70% of my liver and my gallbladder and some lymph nodes. I then did 6 months of chemo with the pump and also had chemo systemically. I have not had any problems with my liver since that time at all. It's been a great success. I don't know how I would have fared without the pump but I do know that with the pump things went great. I am still dealing with mets to my lungs but that's another issue.

    So, I'm a big fan of the pump therapy and would highly recommend it. Feel free to send an email if you have more questions. You can post here but I don't always read all of the posts or comments.
    -phil
  • bruins1971
    bruins1971 Member Posts: 227
    #11
    PhillieG said:

    Hi Joe
    I had a similar situation. I was dx with stage IV colon cancer with mets to the liver and lungs in Feb 2004. I had mets in my liver that were right on the hepatic artery and therefore, surgery was not an option at that time. I went on a course of Avastin, right after it was approved for use by the FDA back in 2004 and did that for 5 months or so. Then my tumors shrunk enough so surgery was possible. I have been a patient of Dr Nancy Kemeny's since this all started. She had me use the HAI pump and that was installed during my initial surgery in Sept 2004. Luckily they only had to remove a relatively small section of my colon but they did take out about 60-70% of my liver and my gallbladder and some lymph nodes. I then did 6 months of chemo with the pump and also had chemo systemically. I have not had any problems with my liver since that time at all. It's been a great success. I don't know how I would have fared without the pump but I do know that with the pump things went great. I am still dealing with mets to my lungs but that's another issue.

    So, I'm a big fan of the pump therapy and would highly recommend it. Feel free to send an email if you have more questions. You can post here but I don't always read all of the posts or comments.
    -phil

    Hey Joe
    I was DX in late Feb of this year with stage 4 and two mets to the liver. I had surgery to remove a golf ball sized tumor and 12 inches of my colon then I did 5 rounds of chemo which included 5FU, Oxiliplaten, and Vectibix as my surgeon didn't want me to use avastin being so close to my colon surgery as it can slow down the healing process. Vectibix was the worst of all the drugs as it made me break out in acne all over my chest,back,face and the top of my head which was the worst as it would bleed...I did only 4 treatments with that drug before the doc said ok enough you are having a severe reaction. But with that my liver mets shrunk from 7.4 to 4.2cm and from 4.2 to 2.8cm one on either lobe of the liver. The surgeon removed one lobe completely and part of the other but thankfully the liver grows back. My CEA was 26 when diagnosed and fell down to 1.8 which is where it is now or at least where it was the last time he checked it in late September. After my liver surgery I started my final 7 rounds of chemo all with the same drugs again but this time the Vectibix kicked in quicker and I was only able to handle it three times and then he cut it out saying it was no longer needed. I only have two rounds of chemo left one next week the day before my 39th birthday and then I will have my last in the first week of january due to an extra rest week added in so it won't mess with New Years Eve....gotta not be sick so I can party and celebrate life. I hope your wife has success with her treatment plans I'm sure she will do just great. Sending hugs and prayers your way take care.

    Bobby in Dallas
  • annad723
    annad723 Member Posts: 44
    #12
    Liver mets
    Hi Joe,

    My name is Anna and I am a stage IV colon cancer patient with multiple mets to the liver. No one has ever told me how many, but my liver does resemble swiss cheese. Both lobes also. My colon cleared up immediately and remains cancer free. The liver is a different situation. I respond to chemo for a certain amount of time, and then new mets show up.

    I've been fighting for 2 years now, and feel relatively healthy. I did all the usual protocols, Oxialiplatin, Avastin, leucovorin, Folfuri, then Camtosaur with erbitux and folfox, then a clinical trial with Xeloda and some possibly an experimental drug. Now the doctors have me on vectibix which is similar to erbitux, but with some differences. I had such a good response with the erbitux that they're hoping for a good response with the vectibix.

    I have been told that I am not a candidate for surgery because of the number of mets in the liver. I have been to the Moffitt Cancer Center here in Tampa which is a leading cancer center.

    MY onc in NY wants to see what the vectibix does and then refer me again for surgery or embalization right to the liver. I hope I spelled it right.

    I started out with a CEA of 2800, was at a 2, and now back to a 23. So the cancer is waking up again. When I read all of these posts though, it gives me hope. It's hard after 2 years and 4 treatments. I am trying to be strong and these blogs really help me.

    My prayers and best wishes are with you and your wife. Anna
  • annad723
    annad723 Member Posts: 44
    #13
    mom_2_3 said:

    Joe
    Joe,

    I was diagnosed with 5 bilobar liver mets. I went through 4 Folfox infusions and then had a scan that showed 30 % reduction in them (largest started out at 5 cm). I sheduled liver/colon surgery and then had one more Folfox infusion. Upon liver resection I had 70% and 90% necrosis. During surgery I also had an HAI pump implanted for adjuvant chemo. After surgery I had 6 HAI treatments (FUDR) along with systemic treatment (5FU only). My last chemo treatment was November 2009 and my CT in november 2010 indicated that I was still NED. My next scan is in January (2 yr scan).

    You can click on my username for more details. I am a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering and my oncologist is the one that pioneered the HAI treatment protocol. A number of others on the boards have also had HAI and they will probably post as well. Some are so far past treatment that they don't really heck in anymore here.

    I pray this treatment works for you wife. It would take me both hands and feet to count the number of people I have personally met who have become operable with this methodology. If you have any questions, please PM me. In the meantime as you prepare for her surgery I would consider juicing and exercising as much as possible. Check with your DR about juicing. There are many proponents of juicing and it has been part of my regimen since 2 weeks after my diagnosis. I did ask my DR abou how to help my body prevent recurrence and she said exercise (there are many studies about this). My oncologist is well-regarded in the colon cancer world and if she says it, I listen. I exercise 70% at max heartrate no less than 6 days per week (hour per day). I don't miss it. Even on Thanksgiving after I cleaned the kitchen I went into our basement and did a workout. There are other protocols pertaining to supplements but those should be discussed thoroughly with your doctor as they could contraindict chemo.

    Keep us posted on how everything goes. We are always here for you.

    Amy

    Amy
    Your story gives me so much hope. Thank God for this board. There really are stage IV people out there that make it. Mine feels like such a hopeless case. Funny thing is I feel truly fine. Can't believe I have cancer. Keep up the good posts Amy. It really helps. Anna
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #14
    annad723 said:

    Liver mets
    Hi Joe,

    My name is Anna and I am a stage IV colon cancer patient with multiple mets to the liver. No one has ever told me how many, but my liver does resemble swiss cheese. Both lobes also. My colon cleared up immediately and remains cancer free. The liver is a different situation. I respond to chemo for a certain amount of time, and then new mets show up.

    I've been fighting for 2 years now, and feel relatively healthy. I did all the usual protocols, Oxialiplatin, Avastin, leucovorin, Folfuri, then Camtosaur with erbitux and folfox, then a clinical trial with Xeloda and some possibly an experimental drug. Now the doctors have me on vectibix which is similar to erbitux, but with some differences. I had such a good response with the erbitux that they're hoping for a good response with the vectibix.

    I have been told that I am not a candidate for surgery because of the number of mets in the liver. I have been to the Moffitt Cancer Center here in Tampa which is a leading cancer center.

    MY onc in NY wants to see what the vectibix does and then refer me again for surgery or embalization right to the liver. I hope I spelled it right.

    I started out with a CEA of 2800, was at a 2, and now back to a 23. So the cancer is waking up again. When I read all of these posts though, it gives me hope. It's hard after 2 years and 4 treatments. I am trying to be strong and these blogs really help me.

    My prayers and best wishes are with you and your wife. Anna

    Hillman
    Hi Joe,

    I had my treatments at Hillman as well. I am in the health care field and Dr. Bartlett has an excellent reputation. If I am in need of surgery in the future he will be my go to guy.
    Do you and your wife live in the Pittsburgh area? I wish your wife much success with her surgery. I am about 45 minutes from Hillman and have appointments coming up there at the end of december. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • loveandhope
    loveandhope Member Posts: 52
    #15
    someone help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    can someone please help me. my dad was perfectly healthy until 1 week ago when he had a routine blood test and was told he had colon cancer with mets in lung and liver. he is goin to be operated on , on feb 2011 to have part of the colon removed. he has currently no obstruction in the colon and is gettin operated on in order to avoid any problems in the future. but they give us very little hope for the liver as its quite advanced. they say he can have the option of chemo after the colon op if he feels strong enough but the dr says that he would opt to get his life in order and enjoy whatever time he has left. i have heard about the chemo pump and maybe im just clutching at straws but i would appreciate any info pls. my dad is 78 but feels strong and healthy and has no symptoms. until last week he has been painting and redecorating his hse with my mum. they were also planning on goin on holiday next year. please if anyone can give me any hope i would appreciate it. i am not in denial i know the severity of his illness, but when do u stop having faith and hope and give up? may i repeat that my dad is full of life and is energetic and willing to fight this!
    thank you and strength to all xxxx
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #16
    loveandhope said:

    someone help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    can someone please help me. my dad was perfectly healthy until 1 week ago when he had a routine blood test and was told he had colon cancer with mets in lung and liver. he is goin to be operated on , on feb 2011 to have part of the colon removed. he has currently no obstruction in the colon and is gettin operated on in order to avoid any problems in the future. but they give us very little hope for the liver as its quite advanced. they say he can have the option of chemo after the colon op if he feels strong enough but the dr says that he would opt to get his life in order and enjoy whatever time he has left. i have heard about the chemo pump and maybe im just clutching at straws but i would appreciate any info pls. my dad is 78 but feels strong and healthy and has no symptoms. until last week he has been painting and redecorating his hse with my mum. they were also planning on goin on holiday next year. please if anyone can give me any hope i would appreciate it. i am not in denial i know the severity of his illness, but when do u stop having faith and hope and give up? may i repeat that my dad is full of life and is energetic and willing to fight this!
    thank you and strength to all xxxx

    don't give up
    I totally understand how you feel now. My mum was the same! She was so energetic and healthy before she was diagnosed with colon cancer liver met in Oct 2010. Until now I still cannot believe it and thought that was not true.

    There are hope and miracles out there. My friend's sister who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer (although it's not the same) and have met everywhere except her brain. After chemo and operation, her cancer cells were cleared and she managed to go back to work. All the tumors shrunk.

    There were also other cases when Western doctors said there is no hope, and the patients seek help from Chinese doctors and the doctors manage to prolong their life for years.

    I hope these encouraging cases could give you hope! Please don't give up. Believe in miracles.
    Dora
  • loveandhope
    loveandhope Member Posts: 52
    #17
    luvmum said:

    don't give up
    I totally understand how you feel now. My mum was the same! She was so energetic and healthy before she was diagnosed with colon cancer liver met in Oct 2010. Until now I still cannot believe it and thought that was not true.

    There are hope and miracles out there. My friend's sister who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer (although it's not the same) and have met everywhere except her brain. After chemo and operation, her cancer cells were cleared and she managed to go back to work. All the tumors shrunk.

    There were also other cases when Western doctors said there is no hope, and the patients seek help from Chinese doctors and the doctors manage to prolong their life for years.

    I hope these encouraging cases could give you hope! Please don't give up. Believe in miracles.
    Dora

    thx dora
    thank u for you msg of encouragement. this is very sad especially at a time like christmas. im trying not to loose hope and stay strong but its very difficult. i suppose i have to take one day at a timr. thank you once again. xx
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #18
    annad723 said:

    Liver mets
    Hi Joe,

    My name is Anna and I am a stage IV colon cancer patient with multiple mets to the liver. No one has ever told me how many, but my liver does resemble swiss cheese. Both lobes also. My colon cleared up immediately and remains cancer free. The liver is a different situation. I respond to chemo for a certain amount of time, and then new mets show up.

    I've been fighting for 2 years now, and feel relatively healthy. I did all the usual protocols, Oxialiplatin, Avastin, leucovorin, Folfuri, then Camtosaur with erbitux and folfox, then a clinical trial with Xeloda and some possibly an experimental drug. Now the doctors have me on vectibix which is similar to erbitux, but with some differences. I had such a good response with the erbitux that they're hoping for a good response with the vectibix.

    I have been told that I am not a candidate for surgery because of the number of mets in the liver. I have been to the Moffitt Cancer Center here in Tampa which is a leading cancer center.

    MY onc in NY wants to see what the vectibix does and then refer me again for surgery or embalization right to the liver. I hope I spelled it right.

    I started out with a CEA of 2800, was at a 2, and now back to a 23. So the cancer is waking up again. When I read all of these posts though, it gives me hope. It's hard after 2 years and 4 treatments. I am trying to be strong and these blogs really help me.

    My prayers and best wishes are with you and your wife. Anna

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