Metastatic carcinoma
My aunt is diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of liver and lungs.. the doctor said that she can live 3 or 4 years and he gave her hormonal tablets to stop the growth of this cancer. Is there any curable treatment in Mayo Clinic š
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Hello @rabiasam
I can understand your confusion regarding your aunt's diagnosis as her blood tests all seem to be normal. Have you discussed this with her oncologist?
As you may know, on Mayo Connect most of us are patients like your aunt, and we cannot diagnose or explain your aunt's cancer diagnosis. Please remember that if you would like your aunt to be seen at Mayo in order to better understand her diagnosis you would need to schedule an appointment with her. Here is the information again about scheduling an appointment at one of the three Mayo Clinic campuses, https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments
I appreciate the care and concern you have for you aunt and I hope you get an answer to these questions.
Right now sheās arranging the amount for her treatment.. till then can you please tell me one thing that if someone have liver cancer then her CA19.9 is not normal at all and also the AFP test ?? her CA19-9 is normal then itās mean she donāt have cancer yet ?
@rabiasam, when making a cancer diagnosis or monitoring for recurrence or metastasis, the medical team uses a combination of testing. Tumor markers, such as AFP and CA19-9, cannot be used alone to diagnose cancer. Generally, tumor marker measurements are used in combination with other tests, such as biopsies. Tumor marker levels may be measured before treatment to help doctors plan the appropriate therapy. In some types of cancer, the level of a tumor marker reflects the stage (extent) of the disease and/or the patientās prognosis (likely outcome or course of disease). You can read more about tumor markers from the National Cancer Institute here: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/diagnosis/tumor-markers-fact-sheet
Your questions about normal levels of tumor markers and what they mean are very good questions to ask your mom's cancer team. What other tests has your mom had, such as CT scans or biopsies?