Liver Cancer Chemoembolization. Need Info on the risks

driven48
driven48 Member Posts: 5
in Liver Cancer #1
July 2009 Iwas diagnosed with liver cancer and cirosis. At the time I was being treated for Hep C, The interferon caused my platlets to drop dangerously low. Treatment was stopped, November 2009 I underwent the Y90 embolization for the tumor, a 90 day follow up showed the tumor was gone. July 2011 an MRI showed the tumor had returned about half the size of the orignal tumor.My doctor wants to treat the tumor with chemoenbolization. My concerns are the effect on my liver with cirosis and very low platlets.I'm 63 yrs old and worry about liver failure following the procedure. Any info. would be helpful.

Comments

  • mhrosado
    mhrosado Member Posts: 37
    #2
    chemoambolization
    My husband just had the procedure done yesterday. His liver function was not good before the procedure and other doctors did not want to treat him anymore. We went for a second opinion and the recommendation was to do the chemoambolization. The doctor that performed the procedure said that they were going to go light on the chemo to reduce the affects to the liver. He is feeling reasonably well today, he has not had any side affects yet. He said that he felt a lot of pain when they were doing the procedure but they gave him a good dose of pain medication. Ed is 61.

    Whether you decide to go through with chemoambolization or not please read up on nutrition for liver cancer. the change in diet has helped my husband a lot...that and prayers and a positive environment. dont let negative people get you down, keep your spirits up and all is going turn out well!
  • driven48
    driven48 Member Posts: 5
    #3
    mhrosado said:

    chemoambolization
    My husband just had the procedure done yesterday. His liver function was not good before the procedure and other doctors did not want to treat him anymore. We went for a second opinion and the recommendation was to do the chemoambolization. The doctor that performed the procedure said that they were going to go light on the chemo to reduce the affects to the liver. He is feeling reasonably well today, he has not had any side affects yet. He said that he felt a lot of pain when they were doing the procedure but they gave him a good dose of pain medication. Ed is 61.

    Whether you decide to go through with chemoambolization or not please read up on nutrition for liver cancer. the change in diet has helped my husband a lot...that and prayers and a positive environment. dont let negative people get you down, keep your spirits up and all is going turn out well!

    Chemoembolization
    Thankyou for the info. I'll read up on nutrition for liver cancer.I have three weeks to decide on the procedure, alot to consider. Once again thankyou.
  • driven48
    driven48 Member Posts: 5
    #4
    mhrosado said:

    chemoambolization
    My husband just had the procedure done yesterday. His liver function was not good before the procedure and other doctors did not want to treat him anymore. We went for a second opinion and the recommendation was to do the chemoambolization. The doctor that performed the procedure said that they were going to go light on the chemo to reduce the affects to the liver. He is feeling reasonably well today, he has not had any side affects yet. He said that he felt a lot of pain when they were doing the procedure but they gave him a good dose of pain medication. Ed is 61.

    Whether you decide to go through with chemoambolization or not please read up on nutrition for liver cancer. the change in diet has helped my husband a lot...that and prayers and a positive environment. dont let negative people get you down, keep your spirits up and all is going turn out well!

    Chemoembolization
    Thankyou for the info. I'll read up on nutrition for liver cancer.I have three weeks to decide on the procedure, alot to consider. Once again thankyou.
  • driven48
    driven48 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    mhrosado said:

    chemoambolization
    My husband just had the procedure done yesterday. His liver function was not good before the procedure and other doctors did not want to treat him anymore. We went for a second opinion and the recommendation was to do the chemoambolization. The doctor that performed the procedure said that they were going to go light on the chemo to reduce the affects to the liver. He is feeling reasonably well today, he has not had any side affects yet. He said that he felt a lot of pain when they were doing the procedure but they gave him a good dose of pain medication. Ed is 61.

    Whether you decide to go through with chemoambolization or not please read up on nutrition for liver cancer. the change in diet has helped my husband a lot...that and prayers and a positive environment. dont let negative people get you down, keep your spirits up and all is going turn out well!

    Chemoembolization
    Thankyou for the info. I'll read up on nutrition for liver cancer.I have three weeks to decide on the procedure, alot to consider. Once again thankyou.
  • insert clever name here
    insert clever name here Member Posts: 8
    #6
    driven48 said:

    Chemoembolization
    Thankyou for the info. I'll read up on nutrition for liver cancer.I have three weeks to decide on the procedure, alot to consider. Once again thankyou.

    did ya find info ??
    just wondering what you found or thout on what you found to read ??
  • buckshot1
    buckshot1 Member Posts: 4
    #7
    chemoembolization
    I just had chemoembolization on wed dr felt they put in as much chemo as possible, we should see results my liver is basically healthy, except for the cancer tumor is 3.3 cent
    hasn't changed since Feb. no pain during procedure, but pain about 4 hrs later, got pain med. I am taking a antibiotic, nausea med for a few days, and pain med when needed next week I see a liver specialist and a Radioligist for radiation for lesion on rib if this isn't bad enough, I have parkinson's also. I am 62 and have had parkinsons for 11 yrs
  • buckshot1
    buckshot1 Member Posts: 4
    #8
    chemoembolization
    I just had chemoembolization on wed dr felt they put in as much chemo as possible, we should see results my liver is basically healthy, except for the cancer tumor is 3.3 cent
    hasn't changed since Feb. no pain during procedure, but pain about 4 hrs later, got pain med. I am taking a antibiotic, nausea med for a few days, and pain med when needed next week I see a liver specialist and a Radioligist for radiation for lesion on rib if this isn't bad enough, I have parkinson's also. I am 62 and have had parkinsons for 11 yrs
  • zekeb
    zekeb Member Posts: 4
    #9
    chemoembolization
    Your situation sounds very much like mine. I'm 66 years old, had Hep C (but had successful interferon/riboviron therapy about 4 years ago), cirrhosis. In April I was diagnosed with hepatacellular carcinoma, and underwent my first chemoembolization treatment a few days later (at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia). The treatment went well, and did shrink my tumor about 25%. I just had my second chemoembo. a few days ago, and am feeling great - other than fatigue. The advantage of chemoembolization, as you probably already know, is that it is a more direct path to the tumor, and generally will result in lesser side effects. For my second treatment, they used sustained release beads, which slowly release the agent over a period of a couple of weeks. I'm very hopeful that the treatment will keep my cancer at bay until I get my transplant. In the meantime, keep a good diet, and stay as active as you can. I wish you the best of luck!
  • kaney2021
    kaney2021 Member Posts: 1
    #10
    zekeb said:

    chemoembolization
    Your situation sounds very much like mine. I'm 66 years old, had Hep C (but had successful interferon/riboviron therapy about 4 years ago), cirrhosis. In April I was diagnosed with hepatacellular carcinoma, and underwent my first chemoembolization treatment a few days later (at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia). The treatment went well, and did shrink my tumor about 25%. I just had my second chemoembo. a few days ago, and am feeling great - other than fatigue. The advantage of chemoembolization, as you probably already know, is that it is a more direct path to the tumor, and generally will result in lesser side effects. For my second treatment, they used sustained release beads, which slowly release the agent over a period of a couple of weeks. I'm very hopeful that the treatment will keep my cancer at bay until I get my transplant. In the meantime, keep a good diet, and stay as active as you can. I wish you the best of luck!

    Ultraclear
    Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic hepatic carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer in the western world (1% of all cancers) but much more common in Africa and parts of Asia (10% to 50% of all cancers). It is much more prevalent in men and incidence increases with age. Liver cancer is rapidly fatal, usually within 6 months from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic failure or metastasis.

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