Liver cancer: I'm weighing treatment options including transplant

Posted by alfonso22 @alfonso22, Dec 29, 2021

I was just told I have liver cancer a transplant is a big deal feeling scare help please

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Liver Cancer Support Group.

Thanks for email. My spouse underwent a right colon mass removal and then started chemo therapy in 2019. Recently we had Y90 therapy on the right liver lobe and then left ..he has lost weight and muscle mass..and now in lonsurf. He has started to eat again and slowly slowly putting on some weight. Has anyone else had similar situation . Prayers for everyone

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@alfonso22

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

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Alfonso, Do you have someone who helps care for your cats when you're away? When is your appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options and/or transplant?

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Morning just got a video call with my doctor and she told me we are going to star Y90 treatment for my tumor I hope next Friday I meet with the transplant team. So far my cat been ok since I am feeling well but I am going to look for a nurse or someone to help me to go to Madison Wisconsin for my treatment. Thank you all for all this support ❤️❤️

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@alfonso22

Morning just got a video call with my doctor and she told me we are going to star Y90 treatment for my tumor I hope next Friday I meet with the transplant team. So far my cat been ok since I am feeling well but I am going to look for a nurse or someone to help me to go to Madison Wisconsin for my treatment. Thank you all for all this support ❤️❤️

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This is fantastic news, Alfonso! Please check out this discussion with Diane, Yannis and others who have had Y-90 treatment. Join in by clicking the link
- Y-90 liver cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/y-90-liver-cancer-treatment/

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I have a questions how do you get a second opinion, and if you ask what stage of your cancer will the doctor tell you . thank you

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@alfonso22

I have a questions how do you get a second opinion, and if you ask what stage of your cancer will the doctor tell you . thank you

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Yes, Alfonso. Your doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer. Do ask them. It is possible that the stage is not yet known. "Liver cancer is usually staged based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and imaging tests (ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, etc.), also called a clinical stage. If surgery is done, the pathologic stage (also called the surgical stage) is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation." You can read more about staging liver cancer from the American Cancer Society here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Fellow member, Mary, asked the same question about how to get a second opinion. In her case it was for breast cancer. I think you'll find the advice from others members very helpful. See this discussion:
- How do I get a Second Opinion (cancer)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/second-opinion-8/

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@colleenyoung

Yes, Alfonso. Your doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer. Do ask them. It is possible that the stage is not yet known. "Liver cancer is usually staged based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and imaging tests (ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, etc.), also called a clinical stage. If surgery is done, the pathologic stage (also called the surgical stage) is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation." You can read more about staging liver cancer from the American Cancer Society here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Fellow member, Mary, asked the same question about how to get a second opinion. In her case it was for breast cancer. I think you'll find the advice from others members very helpful. See this discussion:
- How do I get a Second Opinion (cancer)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/second-opinion-8/

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thank you for all the information and listen to me.. My doctor has all those answer but when I ask was told I am on the early stage since to me she does not want to give me a specifict stage, but reeding I believe I am stage 2 since my tumor is 3.5 and only inside the liver nothing out. Also she keeps pushing for a liver transplant I do have cirrhosis, not sure if I should ask for a different doctor but I do not how to do so. this thrusday 13 going to learn on my Y90 Treatment, and thr followinf day friday 14 meeting with the transplant team.. same day draw blood stress test and check the heart. some times I just feel stop all and let nature take its time. thank you

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Is 2 months a long time without treatment after finding painful big lump in clavicle? PET Scan & blood work shows Mets to Liver. In excruciating pain.
I’m feeling like my doctor does not care and it has spread to the point that the doctors will not treat it. 😭😭😭

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@alfonso22

Morning just got a video call with my doctor and she told me we are going to star Y90 treatment for my tumor I hope next Friday I meet with the transplant team. So far my cat been ok since I am feeling well but I am going to look for a nurse or someone to help me to go to Madison Wisconsin for my treatment. Thank you all for all this support ❤️❤️

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That is good news that they have approved you for Y90. I have cirrhosis of the liver from hep C that damaged my liver enough for it to spin off three tumors. I had a Y90 radiation shoot twice and my tumors appear to be dead. Liver is compensating just fine and my blood test results have come back really good. Now is NOT the time to give up!

There are a couple of numbers here that are really important. First is your MELD score that kind of tells you how good or bad your liver is. It runs between 6 and 40 with 6 being the best. Second is an APF Tumor marker that gives you an indication of how the cancer is going. Then you need to know what your liver enzymes are. All of these are determined through blood tests,.

Don’t fear the Y90 treatment, it’s easy. The first time i only took one day off work, the second time. I had pain in my side that lasted a couple of weeks. It’s a two step process. First they will do what they call “mapping” which is kind of a dry run with dye then they will do the actual radiation shoot a few weeks later.

My doctor is not recommending a transplant at this time because my numbers are so good. I just pray they stay that way.

Ask your doctor for those numbers and I’ll help you understand them from the best of my experience.

Good luck. Please keep posting and DON’T panic if and until there is something to panic about.

Diane

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@digibson

That is good news that they have approved you for Y90. I have cirrhosis of the liver from hep C that damaged my liver enough for it to spin off three tumors. I had a Y90 radiation shoot twice and my tumors appear to be dead. Liver is compensating just fine and my blood test results have come back really good. Now is NOT the time to give up!

There are a couple of numbers here that are really important. First is your MELD score that kind of tells you how good or bad your liver is. It runs between 6 and 40 with 6 being the best. Second is an APF Tumor marker that gives you an indication of how the cancer is going. Then you need to know what your liver enzymes are. All of these are determined through blood tests,.

Don’t fear the Y90 treatment, it’s easy. The first time i only took one day off work, the second time. I had pain in my side that lasted a couple of weeks. It’s a two step process. First they will do what they call “mapping” which is kind of a dry run with dye then they will do the actual radiation shoot a few weeks later.

My doctor is not recommending a transplant at this time because my numbers are so good. I just pray they stay that way.

Ask your doctor for those numbers and I’ll help you understand them from the best of my experience.

Good luck. Please keep posting and DON’T panic if and until there is something to panic about.

Diane

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thank you very much this help me a lot no I will not stop the Y90 treatment is the Transplant that I may not do.. thank you all for your support and help

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