Liver cancer: I'm weighing treatment options including transplant

I have no idea how scared you must be right now. I also have no idea what a liver transplant entails. But I know how to tag a few folks that might be able to help. @colleenyoung has her finger on the pulse of connect. I know @rosemarya had a transplant at Mayo and is involved in the transplant conversations.
This is going to be information about the Mayo transplant centers.

This is the page on Mayo connect, that has a list of conversations here about transplants, including one on liver transplant. You will find others that can give you support and help you through the initial shock and lack of information.

Welcome @alfonso22. It's a scary thing to hear that you have cancer. Once liver cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will work to find out the extent (stage) of the cancer. This determines which treatment options are best for you. There are several treatment options for liver cancer including surgery, chemo and radiation. Transplant is an option for some patients.

Alfonso, do you know what stage your liver cancer is? Has transplant been suggested as a treatment available for your stage of cancer?

@alfonso22, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am a liver (and kidney) transplant recipient, as @auntieoakey has already shared with you. When I was at end stage liver failure and on the transplant waiting list, my doctors suspected that I had bile duct cancer. I understand the confusion and how scared you must be right now. For me the wait until an accurate diagnosis could be made was the longest and scariest time of my life.

I would like to connect you with others who have been diagnosed with liver cancer and transplant. You are not alone and I am sure that you have many questions.

Alfonso, Would you tell me more about your situation? What kind of treatment has been suggested for the cancer? Are you currently waiting for a transplant? What questions would you like to ask.

thank you for the welcome on November was told I have liver cancer (tumor 3.5) lots of test also have cirrhosis because of Wilsons disease. Doc gave me a NCCN 2021 Liver Cancer guidelines book. biopsy scans all negative no cancer outside liver next is to me with 5 people for transplant to start the process I have not tols what stage is my cancer or what other options I may have hope on that Appointment my Doctor will tell me so I can make my decision on my treatment.yes transplant scares me I have no family here or a support group I worry about my Cat as it maty seen childless I believe animals are angels on earth that help us my family overseas know all about it my cancer. I am not afraid to die is just the care of my cat 🙁 breaks my heart also if I go for transplant what happen if my body rejects it or I get sick because of the lack of immune system from the pills. I lost my mother to liver cancer so far I feel good and no signs of it know on wood. just lots of thoughts going to my head thsank you for your help have a great day

thank you not I have not t been told what stage or what other choices, my next appointment is with the transplant group, and was told there my doctor will tell me all my options sure hope so I was thinking just let it go and keep going with my life without anything to do with the cancer. so far I feeling good and not signs of the liver cancer but I know that can change in a second 🙁 thank you for taking the time have a great day

thank you very much

@alfonso22 A very good friend of ours was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the liver bile ducts) in 2019. His doctors referred him to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN because Mayo is known for their expertise in liver transplants. After many tests, radiation and other therapies the liver tumor was shrunk enough that he was then put on the transplant list. He received his liver transplant in 2020. I am writing about our friend because I believe some of your situation may be similar. It was a long recovery for him but I saw him a few months ago and he's feeling good and is back at work.

I do not have children. I have two cats and at other times have had one or two dogs (no dogs right now). My cats are my family. I made provisions in my will for my cats and made certain that my partner or a good friend would care for my cats if something happened to me. So I do understand your worry about your cat as I feel the same. Can you begin to make provisions for your cat should you become too ill to care for him/her? Who is available to care for your cat?

When is your appointment with the transplant group? I hope you will come back here and let me know what you find out and what options you are considering.

Hi Alfonso...I was diagnosed with non alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in 2014. In 2016 I was told I now had liver cancer. There is a protocol for the size in order for treatment. In 2019 my cancer had grown for treatment which was transplant. I live in California and the wait list for transplant was 3 to 5 years...I would not live that long, so I went to Mayo Jacksonville in October 2019. I received my transplant 11/19. Mayo is absolutely the best place to be. I was scared, but everyone there made me feel like they had my absolute best interest in mind. Stay with support groups as these are people who have walked the same path as you...ask any questions you have. Everyone has a different story but the commonality is we're all transplant patients. Prayers and blessings for you 🙏

Thank you they told me it takes 6 months if I do the transplant like I said before I am not scared of dying just sad for my cat if this cancer takes my life I will fight it yes this group all of you help me a lot much appreciated. You are correct sometimes I just cry to sleep but need to be strong positive hope this 2022 is better for all of us and the world we are in need of spiritual healing as a human race ❤️💔😭💔❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

Yes please keep fighting ! My husband was given 8 months and it had now been 15 months and he is still fighting