Y-90 liver cancer treatment: What's your experience?

Hello,

I had Hep C for 20 years that was cured 20 years ago. Last year they found a 3.5 cm single lesion on my liver and performed Y90 which eliminated the tumor. All blood work is perfectly normal and there are no new tumors after several follow up MRIs.. AFP is 2.6 and MELD is 6 to 8. I am on the transplant list and will turn 72 soon. In very good physical condition. Wishing that I didn't have to get a transplant and that the chances the Y90 worked well enough to give me the same life expectancy as would a transplant without all of the transplant potential side effects. Doctor says Y90 isn't a cure and that reoccurrence is likely. Any thoughts Thanks

revjohnson,

Thanks for the response. My tumor was successfully treated last November and there are no new tumors. Still on the transplant list. How are you doing?

@donnabl, itching is a common side effect of liver issues. It can sometimes get so bad that it interrupts your sleep. And that's not helpful for healing, is it?

You might find some helpful tips in this related discussion:
- Liver disease itching: What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-disease-itching/
Have you talked to your cancer team about this itching? Did they have any suggestions?

Does any one get bad itchy like so bad on ur back and your front breast I didn't get any rest last night was up itching my back and if anybody knows what I can use please help I can't do this another night wow I'm so tired 😴 prayers for people with cancer 🙏🙏

Hi @mortimore, I can imagine how deflating that must've been to both your husband and you when they found another tumour when mapping in preparation for treatment. Naturally, I'm glad they found it so that both tumours can be monitored and treated.

You mentioned that communication is not very good where your husband is being treated. I wonder if you are at one of the major cancer centres in Canada? There are several different services that I encourage you to look into for you, your husband and your family. Many of the cancer centres offer the following:
- Social work https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx
- Spiritual support https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Patient_Services/Spiritual_Care
- Palliative care https://www.cancercare.mb.ca/For-Health-Professionals/palliative-care

I've added explanations of these services from 3 different provincial cancer centres as examples. Any of these services can be requested and can also help with communicating with your team and get support beyond treatment.

I'm sure your husband is grateful to have you by his side. How is he doing? How are YOU doing?

Well there is a lot going on in my mind I found out I have four tumors on my liver and one in my blood vessel kinda scary but I'm trying to stay positive for my kids they told me I might have less then a year I don't qualify for a liver transplant what I don't understand but I'm ok with it I just hope I get to spend as much time as I have with my kids they always around me talking laughing but I hope this Y90 works for me idk about this cancer Dr I see asked me if I was drinking and said no why I want to live but I guess it was his thoughts because my tumors had grown a lot in 3 months but I just want to say stay positive and strong 🙏we all have to fight like a warrior and I'm not going to give up 🥺 prayers for all that has cancer 🙏🙏🙏

Yes I felt the same way it will hurt for a while but you will come back to normal I had my Y90 a week ago and I felt fine a little discomfort with my leg but it soon all went away now I'm feeling my pain in my back and it seems like it's getting harder to breathe but I'm getting better day by day I try my best to stay active and do some of the things I use to do but yes I was feeling the nausea and the pains in my body idk if it's just me are if it's the radiation but the pain are bearable but you will be ok think positive I'll be praying for you and your family 🙏🙏

Thanks Donna - L.

I'll have a MRI done in a month and see but Dr said the best to do my MRI and to see the best is in 3 months but good luck John and sending prayers for you and your family 🙏🙏

Morning Donna! Sunny morning here -- that helps - stay strong and keep going. When will they do the follow up to check results of your Y90 treatment?

These are details I am unaware of as John has just had the mapping done.