After liver resection, time frame to start chemo?

alexinlv

Good morning, friends. My husband will be 4 weeks out from liver resection surgery tomorrow. His oncologist is going to start chemo on Thursday. 4 rounds every 3 weeks of Xeloda, oxi, and avastin. I did not get to go with him to his onc appt so I couldn't ask questions. does this sound typical as far as time frame after surgery? can the liver handle this? He also asked the onc what his survival stats are now. Doctor said 5 year is 25%. He really didnt know as he doesn't research too much. this really was a slap in the face to him. I kind of knew this but just want to know what you all think. thank you!

janderson1964

I have had 3 liver
I have had 3 liver resections. I started chemo about 4 weeks after surgery the first 2 times however they didn't start giving me Avastin until 8 weeks because they were concerned with it effecting the healing process. The first 2 surgeries were small wedge sections. The third one was a removal of the entire right lobe which was just in December and it will be 6 weeks since surgery before I start chemo but I think it was more the logistics of getting the port put back in. I am told that the liver will restore normal function in 2 to 3 weeks after surgery even in the case of an entire lobectomy which is what I just had.

Jeff

janderson1964

I didn't read the last part
I didn't read the last part of your email. It has been over 6 years for me. Don't read too much into the statistics. We are all different and the statistics are usually about 10 years out of date since it takes that long to due these extensive studies which doesn't account for the new treatment options that become available in that time.

Sundanceh

Alex....
I was always told that before they introduced Avastin, you had to be around 6-8 weeks after a surgical procedure to allow proper time for healing before starting.

I'd doublecheck this with the doc and just let him know that Tony is just a month out...sometimes we assume our medical teams knows every detail....but I've seen discrepancies even when the whole team resides under the same umbrella.

Better safe than sorry.

-Craig

alexinlv

Sundanceh said:

Alex....
I was always told that before they introduced Avastin, you had to be around 6-8 weeks after a surgical procedure to allow proper time for healing before starting.

I'd doublecheck this with the doc and just let him know that Tony is just a month out...sometimes we assume our medical teams knows every detail....but I've seen discrepancies even when the whole team resides under the same umbrella.

Better safe than sorry.

-Craig

Yes, you're right. I guess
Yes, you're right. I guess they will not do Avastin the first treatment. It's good to know that it's ok to start the other two drugs though. Thanks!

Brenda Bricco

I know that Avastin has to
I know that Avastin has to be atleast 6 weeks after surgery/biopsy, they with held Avastin the first couple treatments because of this for my husband.
DO NOT listen to the percentages! Your hubby has already made it to resection, that is a big deal! Live, love and laugh like there is no tomorrow but plan on tomorrow.
God's blessings to you both.
Brenda

tko683

4 weeks sounds too soon but I don't know
Hi Alex, That sounds really soon to me but my husband is doing the chemo/radiation now and it is almost 6 weeks for him. I'm sure they will check do bloodwork first to make sure that is fine. If he feels like he needs another week or soon I;m sure that would be fine. Did the surgeon say it was OK to start chemo so soon? I would ask them for sure. Also, they told us the same 25% number but also had another doctor say 25-50% so I don't think they really know. I wish they would give a range because my husband keeps remembering the 25% which is not very motivating when you are going through tough treatment. Good luck with the chemo. Best wishes to you. Hugs, Teri

alexinlv

thank you, friends for your
thank you, friends for your support. treatment for him today. I think I'm having chemo anxiety now and I don't even have to do the treatment. Bleh!!! as a caregiver I think the more our person goes through it we know what to expect and it gets harder!!