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Anyone with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer) want to share?
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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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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1 ReactionHi @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 ReactionHello 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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1 ReactionHi @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?
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1 ReactionBesides 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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1 ReactionThank You - I am already getting post - do appreciate!
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1 Reaction@bentrivercarla, by responding to my tagging of you in this discussion, you will be "subscribed" to receive updates of each post. This is true for all discussions on Connect. If you are replying primarily by email, don't forget you can always click on VIEW & REPLY to be brought to the full discussion in order as that is sometimes easier to understand the full discussion in order.
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1 Reaction@gmc454mnazl35ashma I don’t recall exactly, it took me by such surprise, I was reeling. I did know that the only option was getting a liver transplant, so that would indicate it was severe..
My cirrhosis was diagnosed in March, 2015. I had a transplant in September 2016.
It took almost a year and a half to get a diagnosis despite having what I discovered were very typical symptoms of cirrhosis.
JK
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3 ReactionsHi Justin - @bentrivercarla here. This is exactly the discussion group I was looking for - I would like to continue to be included and to receive updates from this group. How do I join to assure that? I did have proton beam and six months out so far so good with reduction of my tumor and dramatic improvement of my AFP. Unfortunately my lung cancer of six years ago may have returned in the midst of some inflammatory response to the liver radiation. It is pretty confusing. I have a re-scan in a couple of weeks and I will post then. Thank You for thinking of me.
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2 ReactionsI have a question about your cirrhosis , did the doctor told you how severe it was , they told my father that his is extreme and irreversible at this point .