1. < Cancer

Anyone with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer) want to share?

Posted by tinasantos @tinasantos, May 28, 2018

Hi! My dad, who is 78, has already been treated for Hepatitis C (almost 20 years ago) and was diagnosed with this huge mass/tumor in Feb/18 after abdomen pain and loss of appetite. He was referred to a hepatologist who suggested the hepatectomy. The surgery was successful, on March,16th and the mass removed was around 13 pounds. At the end of the surgery, no cancerous cells were found at the biopsy. The doctor recommended another consultation after 3 months.

Before this, in the beginning of this month (about to complete 2 months os surgery) my dad made an appointment to an oncologist (just to check). He asked for some blood tests and triphasic MRI. In the next days my dad started feeling the symptons again (loss of appetite, weakness, fever, shivering, abdominal pains) and returned to the oncologist to show the results. The oncologist said the tumor had came back (multiple small nodules) and that he would not recommend another surgery (because tumor would come back again) and that he was not eligiible for transplant because of his age.

After all this, the oncologist recommended the treatment with Nexavar (Sorafenib) and my dad will start it this week.

I'd like to know how to get Mayo Clinic's doctors second opinion since we're in Brazil and there may be another approachs to this abroad.
Also, it would be great if someone in a similar situation could share info here. I`m really worried because my dad is 78, is weak and depressive because of this, and we don't know how aggressive and effective is Nexavar.

Thanks,
Tina

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 20, 2019
In reply to @chazhankel "Besides cancer, i have cirosis of the liver, hepatitis C, during one of my MRI's they..." + (show)
@chazhankel

Besides cancer, i have cirosis of the liver, hepatitis C, during one of my MRI's they found 3 tumors (all actively growing)..in my liver..i go in on the 16th of August to have radiation injected into them..Also during one of my visits they found that i have a slight heart murmur..is that a full plate or what.....

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Hi @chazhankel, and welcome to Connect.
Chaz, it does sound like you have a full plate. My dad's heart murmur was also discovered as he prepared for colon cancer surgery. What precautions do they have to take due to the heart issue? How have you tolerated the radiation so far?

REPLY
erinal | @erinal | Aug 24, 2019

Hello everyone! My father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 2 years ago. The cirrhosis came as result of Hep B, of which he didn't know that was a carrier. 2 weeks ago, he felt some fatigue and abdominal discomfort and we found out that the liver got worse and the MRI showed that he has hepatocarcinoma. He has thrombosis in the portal vein of the liver as well, and some ascites. My father is 70. We live in Albania. The doctors said we cannot start any therapy radio or chemotherapy because the thrombosis and esophageal varices. Please If anyone had the same situation or know any information let me know. I just cannot tell my father this is the end and there is nothing to be done. I would have tried anything to make his cancer slow down. The cancer is spread in the main part of the liver. Thank you and God comfort your pain!

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 24, 2019
In reply to @erinal "Hello everyone! My father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 2 years ago. The cirrhosis came as..." + (show)
@erinal

Hello everyone! My father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 2 years ago. The cirrhosis came as result of Hep B, of which he didn't know that was a carrier. 2 weeks ago, he felt some fatigue and abdominal discomfort and we found out that the liver got worse and the MRI showed that he has hepatocarcinoma. He has thrombosis in the portal vein of the liver as well, and some ascites. My father is 70. We live in Albania. The doctors said we cannot start any therapy radio or chemotherapy because the thrombosis and esophageal varices. Please If anyone had the same situation or know any information let me know. I just cannot tell my father this is the end and there is nothing to be done. I would have tried anything to make his cancer slow down. The cancer is spread in the main part of the liver. Thank you and God comfort your pain!

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Hi @erinal, welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your father and his multiple medical conditions as well as live cancer. I know this news is difficult for you and your family. What palliative treatment have the doctors offered your father? Is he being kept comfortable or does he have pain?

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1 reply
erinal | @erinal | Aug 24, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @erinal, welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your father and his multiple medical..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @erinal, welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your father and his multiple medical conditions as well as live cancer. I know this news is difficult for you and your family. What palliative treatment have the doctors offered your father? Is he being kept comfortable or does he have pain?

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Thanks for replying! No palliative treatment at all. He does not feel anything besides the abdominal discomfort. I met an oncologist, she said maybe we might try some sessions of chemo but it is the risk of hemorrhage, while the gastro hepathologist doctor told me we cannot interfere in such conditions. I just wanted to know if there is a chance abroad, or how such cases are treated, because in Albania they follow old protocols and doctors are not updated at all.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Aug 25, 2019
In reply to @erinal "Hello everyone! My father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 2 years ago. The cirrhosis came as..." + (show)
@erinal

Hello everyone! My father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis 2 years ago. The cirrhosis came as result of Hep B, of which he didn't know that was a carrier. 2 weeks ago, he felt some fatigue and abdominal discomfort and we found out that the liver got worse and the MRI showed that he has hepatocarcinoma. He has thrombosis in the portal vein of the liver as well, and some ascites. My father is 70. We live in Albania. The doctors said we cannot start any therapy radio or chemotherapy because the thrombosis and esophageal varices. Please If anyone had the same situation or know any information let me know. I just cannot tell my father this is the end and there is nothing to be done. I would have tried anything to make his cancer slow down. The cancer is spread in the main part of the liver. Thank you and God comfort your pain!

Jump to this post

@erinal Welcome to MayoClinicConnect. I’m so sorry your Dad is so ill and the doctors feel there is nothing that can be done because of your Dad’s other problems. You have said that you don’t want to tell him, but do you think that he might suspect that he is extremely ill? Has he spoken to you or your mother about any of this? I was an oncology nurse and a member of the Palliative care team at our hospital and we frequently dealt with situations such as this. I have some suggestions that might help. First, it is so important to talk about all that is happening with your Dad and Mother. Keeping quiet will only add to the stress you already feel. Your Dad needs the opportunity to say the important things to his important people, his family.(I was sitting with my Dad towards the end and he started talking. I couldn’t understand him but I asked who he was talking to. He said his brother, who had died in the Korean War some 60 years ago. He felt that his brother was there to help him) There might be someone at the hospital or your priest/minister who can help facilitate the conversation. If you are unable to find someone to help, I can give you more suggestions on how to proceed, if you would like. I hope all goes well for you and your family at this difficult time. Please stay in touch with us. We care

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1 reply
erinal | @erinal | Aug 28, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@erinal Welcome to MayoClinicConnect. I’m so sorry your Dad is so ill and the doctors feel..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@erinal Welcome to MayoClinicConnect. I’m so sorry your Dad is so ill and the doctors feel there is nothing that can be done because of your Dad’s other problems. You have said that you don’t want to tell him, but do you think that he might suspect that he is extremely ill? Has he spoken to you or your mother about any of this? I was an oncology nurse and a member of the Palliative care team at our hospital and we frequently dealt with situations such as this. I have some suggestions that might help. First, it is so important to talk about all that is happening with your Dad and Mother. Keeping quiet will only add to the stress you already feel. Your Dad needs the opportunity to say the important things to his important people, his family.(I was sitting with my Dad towards the end and he started talking. I couldn’t understand him but I asked who he was talking to. He said his brother, who had died in the Korean War some 60 years ago. He felt that his brother was there to help him) There might be someone at the hospital or your priest/minister who can help facilitate the conversation. If you are unable to find someone to help, I can give you more suggestions on how to proceed, if you would like. I hope all goes well for you and your family at this difficult time. Please stay in touch with us. We care

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Hello, the oncologist has recommended us to try Nexavar! Please advice if you have any feedback regarding this medicine. Thank a lot!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Aug 28, 2019
In reply to @erinal "Hello, the oncologist has recommended us to try Nexavar! Please advice if you have any feedback..." + (show)
@erinal

Hello, the oncologist has recommended us to try Nexavar! Please advice if you have any feedback regarding this medicine. Thank a lot!

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https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94785/nexavar-oral/details Hello @erinal . I found this website for you and it’s reliable. There is lots of helpful information for you and your Dad. Will he stay in the hospital for this treatment or can you take him home? If he’s going home, be sure to read about the side effects so you will know what to expect. And be sure to write down questions for your doctor! Best of luck and let us know how it goes—we care

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1 reply
erinal | @erinal | Aug 29, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94785/nexavar-oral/details Hello @erinal . I found this website for you and it’s reliable. There is lots..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-94785/nexavar-oral/details Hello @erinal . I found this website for you and it’s reliable. There is lots of helpful information for you and your Dad. Will he stay in the hospital for this treatment or can you take him home? If he’s going home, be sure to read about the side effects so you will know what to expect. And be sure to write down questions for your doctor! Best of luck and let us know how it goes—we care

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Thanks a lot for the time you spent and for your advice! The medication should be taken at home but there are no hopes to change my fathers health situation nor lasting his days. I've been informed that he might live longer and better without this medication. I will leave his health on the hands of God, and stay by his side until his last breath! Best regards!

REPLY
1 reply
malaysiamiri | @malaysiamiri | Sep 1, 2019

How is he doing now
Hasi

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malaysiamiri | @malaysiamiri | Sep 1, 2019

I am new here snd would like to
Connect with others having similar diagnosis of Stage 4 Liver Cancer with Mets Dx 11/2016
Hasi

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