Diagnosed with large mass liver cancer- terrible odds?

Just got back from Emory in Atlanta, husband is diagnosed with agressive, high grade HCC, no hepatitis or cihrrosis, 19 cm liver mass right lobe involves hepatic and portal artery, now a spot has metasized to abdomen.  They said he is not elible for chemoembolization, now say the Y90 spheres followed by nexavar.   Are other hospitals treating advanced HCC with this kind of involvement?  Are medical records sent to hospitals like MD Anderson for there review or do you make appt and take everything with you?  We have been told no cure for my husband's HCC.

Any info is greatly appreciated,  we are looking for the golden ring on the merry-go-round.

My husband had surgery April 18 to remove a 10.7 cm HCC.  The resection was preceded by a rt portal vein embolization, on Feb 27. 

He experienced traumatic bleeding during the surgery, but survived.  It was 2 days before they were able to close the wound. He was asleep and on the ventilator for 9 days and needed a feeding tube for 4 more.  He also acquired pneumonia and recovered.  After  a total of 16 days in hospital he is now home.  All vitals, and healing are going well.  He's very weak and doesn't have a good appetite yet, but is expecting a full recovery.  

We did not choose a large cancer center for this treatment, but one nearer home and familiar to us.  Our primary surgeon is a member of the liver transplant team at this Kansas City MO hospital.  It is well known for its institutes of heart, neuro-science.

We still are seeking advice on treatment following this surgery.  Pathology showed no signs of metastisis, but there is some possibility that treatment may still be advisable.  I'm personally wanting to get a consultation at Sloan- Kettering.  Any advise or experience out there?

Hello, I just read this post and I am wondering if you know if liver resection is an option for tumor size > 5cm.  My dad is also diagnosed with liver cancer recently and his tumor is about 11cm x 10cm x 10cm and the first oncologist that we saw today said surgery is not an option for this size of tumor.  Appreciate if you could reply to this post and share your experience as I don't know what to do at this point.  Thanks a lot.

Jacqbur7 said:

My husband has been diagnosed

My husband has been diagnosed with liver cancer which has spread to colon cancer and has spread to his stomach his doctor has prescribed nexavar.  He  has only been on for 1 week so far no symptoms but he has lost muscle mass he'd already lost a lot of weight but his appetite has increased and I also notice that he hallucinates and is becoming delirious. I came to this form for support maybe some answers from people who have already went through this or are going through this I'm preparing myself for the worst and I would like to know is this the end for my husband or is there still hope

Hi there..my dad too has been diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer stage 4..due to the late detection, his condition is quite bad..doctor has inserted a tube to release the bilirubin to decrease his jaundice..his liver has been attacked with multiple masses of cancer cells..2 years back he had undergone a surgery for his colon cancer and it was fine until this year when we found out that it has spreaded silently to his liver...doctor did not put so much hope on his condition but I am trying to be positive that he will make it somehow..

My brother was diagnosed last week with liver cancer.  The tumor is 18.7cm and has taken over almost the entire lower Right lobe.  I asked how they could know that it is cancer without a biopsy and was told that liver cancer is the only one that does not require a biopsy because (1) they can see it, and (2) his alpa feta proteins are 25,800 (and I understand a normal person's level is "15").  He does not have HEP B or HEP C and we have been told that they cannot ressect because he does not meet the criteria of 6cm or less, and does not meet the requirements for 6cm or less.  Doctors have also advised ablation is not an option. They have given him 6 to 9 months with no treatment, and 8 months to 2 years with treatment.  He is being treated at Kaiser and they have recommended TACE (trans-arterial chemo embolization).  They have said it will take them twice as long for this procedure because the tumor is so large and there will be more vessels to be dealt with.  They have explained the risks and the likelihood of the chances for it shrinking are not good in order to get to the stage where he could have surgery (and that is even if he still has enough good liver to be able to have the surgery).  He has lost about 35 pounds since the second week in December, has no energy, and really struggles to eat because it hurts him to eat because the tumor is causing so much pain.  We contacted the Cancer Center of Americas and because he has Kaiser he has no coverage to go outside of Kaiser.  They have offered some websites for tips but I found this website and wondering what else I should be doing.  Both of our parents died of cancer at the age of 59 (esophageal and melanoma) and he has been a smoker, drinker (stopped a few years ago).  Trying to help him but just not sure what to do.  I don't believe other hospitals are an option for us as we have to stay within Kaiser but wonder if I should be pushing or asking for more, i.e., immunotherapy (don't know if he can have at the same time as TACE); is TARE any better?  Feeling helpless.  Thank you.