Liver Biopsy results

Kato34
Kato34 Member Posts: 15
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Results came back today. They confirmed what we had feared that the cancer had spread to the liver. My father told me this afternoon.The Dr. told him there was no cure. He is to have a port put in and start his 48 hrs. of chemo. We are going to one of the top Dr.s At Penn. tomorrow for a second opinion. I have know clue on how to react to the news. All I know about cancer is what I have learned in the 2 days of being on this site. Is that the way they treat this? Is there a typical protocol with treating this type of cancer? I am numb. I have read some amazing stories on this site of what of you go through on a daily basis. It amazes me of the courage and strength you all must have inside you. We really do appreciate your knowledge and thoughts. I am up for any suggestions you may have. Thank you for your time.

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Liver mets
    Hi -
    Others can help you much more, but liver resection is possible and potentially curative! Don't know about your situation, but please discuss resection with the oncologist.

    Take care,
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #3
    Sorry
    Sorry to hear that news but I'm glad that you are getting a second opinion. There have been many on this board that said they were inoperable and then became so. Don't give up hope and furthermore, no doctor should ever have given you that statement about there is no cure. If your father is up for the fight then he can win this battle. Stay strong and good luck tomorrow.

    Kim
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #4
    That is how it went for my
    That is how it went for my husband... he was dx on a tuesday and had the port by friday. Don't worry about what one doc says. The first doc told my husband that we will start chemo but he should get his affairs in order and to enjoy the 2 years he had left. We did start the chemo and waited to see how he responded. He did very well so we went looking for a 2nd opionion at our university and they all but scoffed at that doc and told us our options i.e RFA, colon resection, liver resection. DO NOT let anyone tell you it is over...only GOD has that say and he has given us some wonderful tools to fight this. Don't give up hope and make sure your dad gets here to see all of the survivors. Don't give up! Ask around here to see who has found the kind of treatment you need in your area. I am in Wisconsin so I know about here if you happen to be in my area but if not, I am sure you will find that someone is in your area. GOD BLESS YOU
    Brenda
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #5
    I just want to scream every
    I just want to scream every time some one come on here, frightened and desperate and they repeat the words that a Dr. told them 'There is No Cure"

    ARRGHGHHGHGG

    I am 2.5 years out from Diagnosis
    Honking-azz tumor in my colon
    9 tumors all over liver..."there is no cure" "five months" "chronic disease"
    chemo chemo chemo
    shunk tumors
    I became operable - Sloan Kettering, Dr. Fong

    I am ALIVE

    Surgery is the "cure"/ ideal and the goal for mets to the liver;
    Hopefully your father will respond well to chemo, thereby reducing the tumor burden on liver and getting him in shap for liver surgery


    Keep asking questions and researching, it CAN happen

    Peggy
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member
    #6
    I have had 2 liver
    I have had 2 liver resections and am currently ned. I went to penn and have the highest regard for their entire staff.
    The first resect, the surgeon told us. there was a spot i am not sure of. But i did alo i can now. 2 yrs later it came back, we think from the spot the surgeon was concerned about.The first time i had chemo resect and chem. infusions, pills the works.
    this time i am on xeloda (s) only.
    Don't listen to that dr. there are numerous options and almost 7 yrs later i am alive and kicking.
    good luck to you and your dad.
    Prayers coming your way.
    Judy
  • Kato34
    Kato34 Member Posts: 15
    #7
    pluckey said:

    I just want to scream every
    I just want to scream every time some one come on here, frightened and desperate and they repeat the words that a Dr. told them 'There is No Cure"

    ARRGHGHHGHGG

    I am 2.5 years out from Diagnosis
    Honking-azz tumor in my colon
    9 tumors all over liver..."there is no cure" "five months" "chronic disease"
    chemo chemo chemo
    shunk tumors
    I became operable - Sloan Kettering, Dr. Fong

    I am ALIVE

    Surgery is the "cure"/ ideal and the goal for mets to the liver;
    Hopefully your father will respond well to chemo, thereby reducing the tumor burden on liver and getting him in shap for liver surgery


    Keep asking questions and researching, it CAN happen

    Peggy

    Thank you
    It is so good to hear your stories. I call my father and tell him what you guys say, he is very happy to hear there is hope. Hopefully the Dr. tomorrow has the same attitude that you have. Is the first step Chemo? How long does that take before they will attempt surgery? Any questions we should be asking the Dr.? Thanks for your support.
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #8
    Kato34 said:

    Thank you
    It is so good to hear your stories. I call my father and tell him what you guys say, he is very happy to hear there is hope. Hopefully the Dr. tomorrow has the same attitude that you have. Is the first step Chemo? How long does that take before they will attempt surgery? Any questions we should be asking the Dr.? Thanks for your support.

    Treatment is different for
    Treatment is different for each person- it really depends on what's going on-

    My colon tumor was very very large an about to burst, so they did colon resection a week after diagnosis, then chemo

    some people are on radiation, then chemo, then colon resection THEN liver....

    One question that comes to mind is about chemo, and the current shortage of drugs for colon cnacer...there ahve been threads on this subject the past month or so...do a search and read up

    BEST to you and your faher

    Peggy
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #9
    Oh heck
    They told me the same thing, gave me 4 to 6 months with chemo, weeks without. Been a year and nine months now, I'm still here, going to college full time, gardening, taking care of grandson, living life to fullest. Chemo shrunk my tumors, and had resection, and now NED No Evidence of Disease, so much for their dire predictions. Tell you dad, there's plenty of hope get a Onc that's not such a pessimist. Jeez, I hate that.
    Winter Marie
  • Kato34
    Kato34 Member Posts: 15
    #10
    herdizziness said:

    Oh heck
    They told me the same thing, gave me 4 to 6 months with chemo, weeks without. Been a year and nine months now, I'm still here, going to college full time, gardening, taking care of grandson, living life to fullest. Chemo shrunk my tumors, and had resection, and now NED No Evidence of Disease, so much for their dire predictions. Tell you dad, there's plenty of hope get a Onc that's not such a pessimist. Jeez, I hate that.
    Winter Marie

    Great Day
    First I would like to thank everyone again for your thoughts and care. It has meant more than I can explain in words. We met a top Doc at Penn he was great. He had such a more positive outlook. He did agree with having the Chemo treatments then go from there. He recommended a Dr. for the chemo whos practice is 4 blocks from my parents home. He personally called him and we were sitting in his office in an hour. We also liked him. The Dr. explained that my father would go on 10 weeks Chemo starting Tues. of Folfox with Avastin. It will be giving at the center bi-weekly. He said this is an aggressive approach and after the 10 weeks re-evaluate and go from there. Does that sound like the norm? is there anything we should look out for? We all went out for a big dinner. I could tell my Dad had a little peace. We feel we are in good hands. :)
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #11
    Kato34 said:

    Great Day
    First I would like to thank everyone again for your thoughts and care. It has meant more than I can explain in words. We met a top Doc at Penn he was great. He had such a more positive outlook. He did agree with having the Chemo treatments then go from there. He recommended a Dr. for the chemo whos practice is 4 blocks from my parents home. He personally called him and we were sitting in his office in an hour. We also liked him. The Dr. explained that my father would go on 10 weeks Chemo starting Tues. of Folfox with Avastin. It will be giving at the center bi-weekly. He said this is an aggressive approach and after the 10 weeks re-evaluate and go from there. Does that sound like the norm? is there anything we should look out for? We all went out for a big dinner. I could tell my Dad had a little peace. We feel we are in good hands. :)

    I would say that sounds a
    I would say that sounds a lot better than what you were intially told, don't you? The plan that your doc suggested is the same as ours. I am so happy for your family, it's wonderful when you feel like you are in the right place. ;)
    God's blessings.
    Brenda
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #12
    Brenda Bricco said:

    I would say that sounds a
    I would say that sounds a lot better than what you were intially told, don't you? The plan that your doc suggested is the same as ours. I am so happy for your family, it's wonderful when you feel like you are in the right place. ;)
    God's blessings.
    Brenda

    Had several liver mets considered inoperable ,after 4 month of
    chemo it shrinked enough to be operated! .
    Hope the best!
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #13
    pepebcn said:

    Had several liver mets considered inoperable ,after 4 month of
    chemo it shrinked enough to be operated! .
    Hope the best!

    hi kato
    sorry i am late.....but good news you got another opinion

    just want to chime in...I am another one who got the death sentence....still here after colon resection and 2 liver resections....

    going strong...lots of chemo but all good!!!!

    maggie
  • pscott1
    pscott1 Member Posts: 207 Member
    #14
    Hi Kato,
    Just curious...I was Stage II Colon cancer and it also spread to my liver. I have approximately 30 lesions in both lobes; do you know how many your Dad has? I have heard great things about Penn and just wondered if they can deal with that many lesions? I am in St. Louis and have been told I'll be on chemo for life, 3-4 years is typical. I have to believe there is a different prognosis out there somewhere. Best of luck with your Dad.

    Pam
  • Kato34
    Kato34 Member Posts: 15
    #15
    pscott1 said:

    Hi Kato,
    Just curious...I was Stage II Colon cancer and it also spread to my liver. I have approximately 30 lesions in both lobes; do you know how many your Dad has? I have heard great things about Penn and just wondered if they can deal with that many lesions? I am in St. Louis and have been told I'll be on chemo for life, 3-4 years is typical. I have to believe there is a different prognosis out there somewhere. Best of luck with your Dad.

    Pam

    Hi Pam, Well I wish I could
    Hi Pam, Well I wish I could answer your questions but I only have 5 days experience. My dad was just diagnosed tues. w st4. There are many great people on this site that have tons of knowledge. My fathers report says "multiple" lesions. The largest being 3.1x3.4 cm.on the dome. Thats all we know right now. He starts 10 weeks of folfox w/ avastin on tues. They will not talk about surgery until after the chemo to see how the lesions react. We were only at Penn for one day and met with their head of colon surgery. Penn has a great reputation and we will def. go there to have surgery done if necessary. I hope the best for you I wish I could be of more help.
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #16
    Kato34 said:

    Hi Pam, Well I wish I could
    Hi Pam, Well I wish I could answer your questions but I only have 5 days experience. My dad was just diagnosed tues. w st4. There are many great people on this site that have tons of knowledge. My fathers report says "multiple" lesions. The largest being 3.1x3.4 cm.on the dome. Thats all we know right now. He starts 10 weeks of folfox w/ avastin on tues. They will not talk about surgery until after the chemo to see how the lesions react. We were only at Penn for one day and met with their head of colon surgery. Penn has a great reputation and we will def. go there to have surgery done if necessary. I hope the best for you I wish I could be of more help.

    Really proud of you for researching this for your Dad :) Knowing that you are going to be on the lookout for him I'd imagine has given him tremendous peace of mind. He is getting ready to go into a fierce battle---and you are one of his loving warriors.
    Your Friend in California~
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #17
    Good idea
    I'm so sorry about your news, but as others have said, there ARE options. I'm glad you're going for another opinion. Praying you get some good answers!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • stillhopefulone
    stillhopefulone Member Posts: 3
    #18
    Keep the faith
    DO NOT BELIEVE there is no cure. We were told same thing 5 years ago. My husband is cancer free right now for over 2 years after a long journey and being told he was inoperable, 2 liver resections later he is NED. Pray and be your dad's advocate. Research and be persistant. There are many more options now. Get as many opinions as it takes. Stay positive.

    God Bless
  • Kato34
    Kato34 Member Posts: 15
    #19
    stillhopefulone said:

    Keep the faith
    DO NOT BELIEVE there is no cure. We were told same thing 5 years ago. My husband is cancer free right now for over 2 years after a long journey and being told he was inoperable, 2 liver resections later he is NED. Pray and be your dad's advocate. Research and be persistant. There are many more options now. Get as many opinions as it takes. Stay positive.

    God Bless

    Thank you for your story. I
    Thank you for your story. I just got of the phone with Dad and he was really glad to hear that. What were his steps in getting there? Did he start with chemo. We have had 2 Dr. give us bad prognosis. Tues. we go to Foxchase cancer center. It has a very good reputation. We will go to sloane after that late next week. We need someone to take charge and come up with a game plan. Im so happy to hear your husband is ok.

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