stage 4 liver cancer

BarbaraAS
BarbaraAS Member Posts: 4
in Liver Cancer #1
Last August they found a small tumor, only place it showed on ct scan, in my husband esophagus treated with 30 days of radiation and once a week chem then in Dec they performed laparoscopic modified ivor-lewis esophagogastrectomy. After all said done had 2nd ct scan 2 weeks ago and now has 1.57inch tumor in his liver. He will be undergoing massive chem treatments once every 2 weeks for 2-3 months then another ct scan. Need some advice! Will this help slow down the growth? Any other treatments available?
Brubarb

Comments

  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #2
    Sorry to hear this
    Sorry to hear this BarbaraAS. Has this metastasized from his Esophagus? Have they done a biopsy? If it is metastasized Esophageal cancer it needs to be treated in the same manner as if it were in his Esophagus (that is my understanding, but I could be wrong). If it is a different primary cancer such as HCC (Liver) then there are other options. Chemo helps to shrink tumors and slow their growth. Less than 5cm in size is resectable but can be un-resectable based on other negative factors. I have had HCC twice; 1st treatment was for a liver resection with a larger tumor and a smaller tumor being removed. The 2nd time I had RFA ( radio frequency ablation) and a small tumor was "burned out" to remove it. My next option (if it recurs a 3rd time) is to have a Liver transplant. I am a 5 1/2 year survivor at this point and very fortunate. It is important to understand all of the determining factors when dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. It is not a death sentence, just a diagnosis.
    Hugs and prayers coming at you.
  • hopefulhusband
    hopefulhusband Member Posts: 7
    #3
    yes, dont give up and dont rely only on one treatment option
    Barbara,
    The post by xtremediver is full of hope. He is right about primary source. HCC and cholangio are difficult if those are primary but other primary CAs reportedly respond well to certain chemo drugs. Only problem with chemo once the liver is compromised is it has to be processed by the very same organ that needs to be treated. If you wish to discuss options we have researched for my wife do not hesitate to email me at arlaba2007@gmail.com. Right now we are hoping that the chemo Folfox will work although if you ask me I still have doubts. My preference is to bring her to Germany and/or Switzerland for alternative treatments. Read my other posts in answer to some other inquiries. I had more time today to share so I decided to write to as many as time permits. Keep praying and hoping for the best.
    Tony
  • BarbaraAS
    BarbaraAS Member Posts: 4
    #4
    XtremediverHCC said:

    Sorry to hear this
    Sorry to hear this BarbaraAS. Has this metastasized from his Esophagus? Have they done a biopsy? If it is metastasized Esophageal cancer it needs to be treated in the same manner as if it were in his Esophagus (that is my understanding, but I could be wrong). If it is a different primary cancer such as HCC (Liver) then there are other options. Chemo helps to shrink tumors and slow their growth. Less than 5cm in size is resectable but can be un-resectable based on other negative factors. I have had HCC twice; 1st treatment was for a liver resection with a larger tumor and a smaller tumor being removed. The 2nd time I had RFA ( radio frequency ablation) and a small tumor was "burned out" to remove it. My next option (if it recurs a 3rd time) is to have a Liver transplant. I am a 5 1/2 year survivor at this point and very fortunate. It is important to understand all of the determining factors when dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. It is not a death sentence, just a diagnosis.
    Hugs and prayers coming at you.

    Yes is metastasized from
    Yes is metastasized from esophagus and liver biopsy was done. They said cannot do surgery as would make it spread in their opinion. He starts Folfox chemo this Wednesday. Thank You for you prayers
  • BarbaraAS
    BarbaraAS Member Posts: 4
    #5
    hopefulhusband said:

    yes, dont give up and dont rely only on one treatment option
    Barbara,
    The post by xtremediver is full of hope. He is right about primary source. HCC and cholangio are difficult if those are primary but other primary CAs reportedly respond well to certain chemo drugs. Only problem with chemo once the liver is compromised is it has to be processed by the very same organ that needs to be treated. If you wish to discuss options we have researched for my wife do not hesitate to email me at arlaba2007@gmail.com. Right now we are hoping that the chemo Folfox will work although if you ask me I still have doubts. My preference is to bring her to Germany and/or Switzerland for alternative treatments. Read my other posts in answer to some other inquiries. I had more time today to share so I decided to write to as many as time permits. Keep praying and hoping for the best.
    Tony

    He will be on 3 chemo drugs
    He will be on 3 chemo drugs doing the Folfox and are prayers are that it will put this terrible disease in remission. I am praying each and very positive that will go into remission. Prayers to you and your wife

Discussion Boards