metastic lesions ( 2 ) to liver **symptoms**
i've had a recurrence of lesions to the liver and am wondering what symptoms i should look for and or pay attention to? is anyone out there going through a phase of symptoms? it's my understanding the usual colon cancer experience is a big possibility of demise once cancer has spread to the liver. my oncologist says i'm not a canidate for liver resection due to some activity in a lymph node and peritoneal lining **which by the way isn't conclusive** but a theory to what's seen on the CT and PET scans. i've noticed lately extreme muscle fatigue and soreness. it's almost like i've been to the gym. now i do exercise but that's really limited to walking, streching and using a dry sauna. i've also noticed fatigue, nausea, low energy, and even sleeping more then usual. it's crazy but just a few days ago i was feeling on top of the world. i almost even called my oncologist to explain how well i was feeling. then out of nowhere just a few days ago began feeling this way. oh,,,another symptom is this ammonia smell???? originally i had metastasis to liver, esophagus, lung, and peritoneal lining. which after the first round of treamtent in 08 elimated all of this. so of course my goal is to do it again!!!! yeehaw!!! anyway, i'm very interested to here from others.
ed
ps..forgive my spelling lol
Comments
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Hi Ed
The liver is serious business alright - no mistake about that. Sounds like you've traveled down this road before a couple of years ago.
But, it's not a death sentence by any means - this board is just filled with Stage IV mets to the liver - and many are doing quite well,
While resection may not be an option, has anyone mentioned RFA to you? That's radio frequency ablation, where they insert a probe into the tumor and burn it out with radio waves - it has an equal to or even better chance of survival than traditional liver resection, which is considred the gold standard.
There are also some hot chemo washes for the peritoneal lining that others have reported being effective. There is also an HAI implant, which delivers chemo directly to the liver. And a couple of our members have done either Sir Spheres or Theraspheres, but I don't have the lowdown on that, but could be an option for you.
Christmas 2007, I was given an expiration date and told I would not likely see Christmas the following year. And in the event that the surgery/RFA was a success, I would be getting the cancer returning to the liver, they even guaranteed it...almost exuberant about it.
The year is 2010 now - and if they were indeed correct, then I'm a "ghost writer" that's writing to you. I'm still here and doing well.
I've had mets to the lung, but those were not cancer.
You've obviously done very well for yourself so far - you have an idea of what you're up against. Stay with it and keep your feet movin'.
I want to hear that you're doing well in your current fight - the mind has to be right to fight - recurrance is always where the real battle of cancer is often won or lost - it's what makes the fight draw on.
I liken it to the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare - "The race is not always won by the swiftest - rather, slow and steady steps will still get you to the finish line - and victory."
All the best and nice to meet you.
-Craig0 -
ghost writer---made me laughSundanceh said:Hi Ed
The liver is serious business alright - no mistake about that. Sounds like you've traveled down this road before a couple of years ago.
But, it's not a death sentence by any means - this board is just filled with Stage IV mets to the liver - and many are doing quite well,
While resection may not be an option, has anyone mentioned RFA to you? That's radio frequency ablation, where they insert a probe into the tumor and burn it out with radio waves - it has an equal to or even better chance of survival than traditional liver resection, which is considred the gold standard.
There are also some hot chemo washes for the peritoneal lining that others have reported being effective. There is also an HAI implant, which delivers chemo directly to the liver. And a couple of our members have done either Sir Spheres or Theraspheres, but I don't have the lowdown on that, but could be an option for you.
Christmas 2007, I was given an expiration date and told I would not likely see Christmas the following year. And in the event that the surgery/RFA was a success, I would be getting the cancer returning to the liver, they even guaranteed it...almost exuberant about it.
The year is 2010 now - and if they were indeed correct, then I'm a "ghost writer" that's writing to you. I'm still here and doing well.
I've had mets to the lung, but those were not cancer.
You've obviously done very well for yourself so far - you have an idea of what you're up against. Stay with it and keep your feet movin'.
I want to hear that you're doing well in your current fight - the mind has to be right to fight - recurrance is always where the real battle of cancer is often won or lost - it's what makes the fight draw on.
I liken it to the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare - "The race is not always won by the swiftest - rather, slow and steady steps will still get you to the finish line - and victory."
All the best and nice to meet you.
-Craig
your funny and by the way seriously, very informative. i've read many of your post(s) and thanks for being so helpful and considerate of others. i'm currently being treated at Mayo Clinic. i've asked on several occassions about surgical treatment of liver mets. it's always answered by "we don't think that's a good idea." i'm also a kidney failure patient and i don't know if the other procedures you've posted here would work for me? honestly those other options have not been brought up by myself and or oncologist. i'll look into it. well, i finally did end up calling Mayo due to how i'm feeling today and some blood work that i recently had on 4-27-10 was actually very good. all labs related to liver were exceptional and were even noticing CEA to be dropping. CEA now at 9.2 which i'd have to admit being in my situation is not all that bad. in talking with the nurse she seems to think i'm having a delayed reaction to the last treatment. i'm currently being treated with Cetuximab and Irinotecan. schedule is once every two weeks but missed this last Wednesdays treatment due to how i was feeling and we've rescheduled for Monday. i would like to thank you for your response and again and honestly thanks for helping others.
ed0 -
Per my ONCvhtqm1 said:ghost writer---made me laugh
your funny and by the way seriously, very informative. i've read many of your post(s) and thanks for being so helpful and considerate of others. i'm currently being treated at Mayo Clinic. i've asked on several occassions about surgical treatment of liver mets. it's always answered by "we don't think that's a good idea." i'm also a kidney failure patient and i don't know if the other procedures you've posted here would work for me? honestly those other options have not been brought up by myself and or oncologist. i'll look into it. well, i finally did end up calling Mayo due to how i'm feeling today and some blood work that i recently had on 4-27-10 was actually very good. all labs related to liver were exceptional and were even noticing CEA to be dropping. CEA now at 9.2 which i'd have to admit being in my situation is not all that bad. in talking with the nurse she seems to think i'm having a delayed reaction to the last treatment. i'm currently being treated with Cetuximab and Irinotecan. schedule is once every two weeks but missed this last Wednesdays treatment due to how i was feeling and we've rescheduled for Monday. i would like to thank you for your response and again and honestly thanks for helping others.
ed
Pain on the tummy over the liver, your back........and your right shoulder! I really didn't pay much attention because I was told I had liver mets before I thought about any pain, but he asked me to keep an eye on any pain to these areas after my resection.0 -
I Have...Nana b said:Per my ONC
Pain on the tummy over the liver, your back........and your right shoulder! I really didn't pay much attention because I was told I had liver mets before I thought about any pain, but he asked me to keep an eye on any pain to these areas after my resection.
8-10 tumors on my liver, and never felt a thing. No pain at all, didn't think I even had cancer, because I wasn't in any pain. You just never know.
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
No Symptoms
When I was diagnosed last year I had no pain in my liver. I was being treated by a chiropracter for neck and shoulder pain, and come to find out that is a symptom of liver cancer. I have two very large tumors in my liver, one 11cm X9cm and a second 5cm X 4cm, basically the entire right lobe of my liver. Chemo and Chemo embolization did not work. No liver resection for me because I still have 5 very active lymph nodes that can not be removed due to their location. Was on Folfox, Xeloda and Folfiri, no change, so now am on Erbitux and waiting the results of todays CT scan. I feel fine and continue to work full time. I am not the type to give up. Wish there was some physical sign that the liver was involved, but none that I can speak of. Good Luck!!
Pat0 -
Could it be the drugs you're
Could it be the drugs you're on? My husband has liver mets and up to one week after treatments he has pain. He is on the same chemo cocktail as you. When he was on oxaliplatin he only had nueropathy, but now he has strange side effects. I always wonder too...is the cancer growing? Is that why he has these weird side effects? I think it may just be the mix of drugs for him. He also experiences fatigue and muscle soreness/flu like symtoms, but that is usually related to the nuelasta shot.
Erin0 -
thank you **Nana b**Nana b said:Per my ONC
Pain on the tummy over the liver, your back........and your right shoulder! I really didn't pay much attention because I was told I had liver mets before I thought about any pain, but he asked me to keep an eye on any pain to these areas after my resection.
at times i do feel some pain on the right quadrant of abdomen. i'll pay closer attention..when i started this post (and it takes an act of God for me to do so) because i don't want to be crying wolf. anyway, those symptoms are diminishing so i'm inclined to think that when i also finally made the call to my oncologist she may just be right about what i was feeling was a reaction to chemotherapy. i'm still scheduled for treatment tomorrow so if them symptoms re-appear shortly after then i'm inclined to think the chemo is the culprit. thank you for your response and hope your doing well.
ed0 -
Hi Ed
I'm stage 4 with liver involvement. I've never had physical symptoms so can't help there. I have had a liver resection and radio frequency ablation (RFA).
I think it is very important for you to see a good liver surgeon. I would not trust an oncologist to make a decision about surgery. Not that I don't trust oncs but it is not their field. A good surgeon is aware of new and emerging procedures and protocols. My oncologist initially said I was NOT a resection candidate because I had "multiple mets". My liver surgeon said "no problem! we'll get them all!"
RFA may be a good option for you too.
Don't be discouraged by a recurrence. hang in there and keep the good attitude.
Rob; in Vancouver0 -
thanks DonnaShayenne said:I Have...
8-10 tumors on my liver, and never felt a thing. No pain at all, didn't think I even had cancer, because I wasn't in any pain. You just never know.
Hugsss!
~Donna
my goodness 8-10 tumors? was wondering---have you had surgery for this? your so right """you just never know.""" this disease is so fickle...is that word still used in our vocabulary?? lol...fickle=hmmmm. thanks for your reply and hope your doing well.
ed0 -
Rob--you and the others couldn't be more right!!!robinvan said:Hi Ed
I'm stage 4 with liver involvement. I've never had physical symptoms so can't help there. I have had a liver resection and radio frequency ablation (RFA).
I think it is very important for you to see a good liver surgeon. I would not trust an oncologist to make a decision about surgery. Not that I don't trust oncs but it is not their field. A good surgeon is aware of new and emerging procedures and protocols. My oncologist initially said I was NOT a resection candidate because I had "multiple mets". My liver surgeon said "no problem! we'll get them all!"
RFA may be a good option for you too.
Don't be discouraged by a recurrence. hang in there and keep the good attitude.
Rob; in Vancouver
getting more opinions and from a surgeon is something i'm going to pursue. i've not really hammered away at the possibility but i think the time has come. at the very least i can get educated on the possibility of surgery but also get on the surgeons radar that i'm one of those whom will stop at nothing if God gives me the will to keep fighting. thanks for your response and hope you too are doing well.
ed0 -
hello Patpatsy1954 said:No Symptoms
When I was diagnosed last year I had no pain in my liver. I was being treated by a chiropracter for neck and shoulder pain, and come to find out that is a symptom of liver cancer. I have two very large tumors in my liver, one 11cm X9cm and a second 5cm X 4cm, basically the entire right lobe of my liver. Chemo and Chemo embolization did not work. No liver resection for me because I still have 5 very active lymph nodes that can not be removed due to their location. Was on Folfox, Xeloda and Folfiri, no change, so now am on Erbitux and waiting the results of todays CT scan. I feel fine and continue to work full time. I am not the type to give up. Wish there was some physical sign that the liver was involved, but none that I can speak of. Good Luck!!
Pat
wow, my two lesions on the liver are <2cm. it's just hard for me to comprehend yours being 11x9cm and 5x4cm.as i wrote earlier **it takes an act of God for me to start a post** because i'd hate it to be nothing and with everyones time being taken up by replying to what i've written means the world to me and i don't want to take that for granted. hope this makes sense? i am going to begin to pursue some kind of surgery for intervention and hopefully a cure. i am very thankful though that my lesions are shrinking and i at one time was NED for a few months and figure i beat this once i'll beat it again...Good Luck to you as well. Have a great Sunday!
ed0 -
yes Erin it couldErinb said:Could it be the drugs you're
Could it be the drugs you're on? My husband has liver mets and up to one week after treatments he has pain. He is on the same chemo cocktail as you. When he was on oxaliplatin he only had nueropathy, but now he has strange side effects. I always wonder too...is the cancer growing? Is that why he has these weird side effects? I think it may just be the mix of drugs for him. He also experiences fatigue and muscle soreness/flu like symtoms, but that is usually related to the nuelasta shot.
Erin
it is very possible that what i was feeling (has diminished lately) was related to the chemotherapy. as i wrote earlier and did finally call the Oncologist and the Nurse thought that with my labs being so good it was more then likely a reaction to the chemo. today all i'm feeling is very very tired. i don't usually sleep in **i'm the type of guy who looks forward to sun rising not setting** but this morning didn't get up until 10am and honestly could have slept longer. being this tired really doesn't bother me and that would be completely livable if that were all i had as side effects. i am scheduled for treatment tomorrow morning so i'll be paying attention to see if them other symptoms bubble to the surface again. i hope you and your husband are doing well. enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a fabulous week!!
ed0 -
Heyas Ed!vhtqm1 said:thanks Donna
my goodness 8-10 tumors? was wondering---have you had surgery for this? your so right """you just never know.""" this disease is so fickle...is that word still used in our vocabulary?? lol...fickle=hmmmm. thanks for your reply and hope your doing well.
ed
No, I am deemed inoperable right now. But always hoping one day I will be rid of this somehow. The first onc told me I'd be on Maintenance chemo forever, and she has now moved, I do have a new onc who said he wants to try Radio Spheres on me, which I might do, but kind of scared to do it, but glad that this new onc is giving me another option, when the first one didn't
Hope all goes well with you!
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Good Morningvhtqm1 said:hello Pat
wow, my two lesions on the liver are <2cm. it's just hard for me to comprehend yours being 11x9cm and 5x4cm.as i wrote earlier **it takes an act of God for me to start a post** because i'd hate it to be nothing and with everyones time being taken up by replying to what i've written means the world to me and i don't want to take that for granted. hope this makes sense? i am going to begin to pursue some kind of surgery for intervention and hopefully a cure. i am very thankful though that my lesions are shrinking and i at one time was NED for a few months and figure i beat this once i'll beat it again...Good Luck to you as well. Have a great Sunday!
ed</p>
Those pesky liver tumors are still pretty big, but I am a positive thinker and feel that they will eventually shrink! If not, then as long as they don't grow I'm OK with that as well. Will know today, chemo this afternoon and get the results of CT scans that were done on Friday. Don't ever feel guilty about posting, we are all here for each other.
Pat0
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