Help please - stage 4 AC with Liver mets

Hello Hope211

I don't have any specific advice, but wanted to say I am sorry to hear you and your relative are having such a difficult time.

I would absolutely go for a second opinion under your circumstances and you have the right to do that. If the consultant does not make your family member feel confident, please find somebody who can give you  hope and a clear path.

I also wanted to add the Macmillan colon/rectal forum has a few members discussing liver and lung Mets and treatment options. They also have members and family members receiving palliative treatment for stage 4. The membership on that forum is large, so lots of info.

Wishing your relative all the very best for the future.

Ally xx

Hi Hope211 Welcome to the forum. Im sorry about your relations diagnosis. I cant answer your question but i know there are people on here who had liver mets so hopefully one of them will see your post and respond. Me responding will put your post back to the top. Sending hugs. X

Hi Hope211 ,

Welcome to our little corner of the MacMillan Online Community although I’m really sorry to hear you’ve had the need to find us. 

It sounds an incredibly stressful situation that you’re all in right now, I’m sure everyone here can appreciate that. 

I would definitely go for a second opinion if I were in your relative’s position especially if they feel the relationship between with their consultant isn’t all that it should be. In this situation your relative needs full confidence in their treating team to be sure that everything possible is being done for them in way of treatment. 

Nicola

Thank you for your support so far, I really appreciate it 

Hello Hope211 

I am so sorry to hear of what must have been such distressing news for your loved one and for the wider family.  It really doesn't help that s/he doesn't have a rapport with the oncologist as it is so important.  Your relative is certainly entitled to ask for a second opinion and in their shoes I definitely would.

That said, paclitaxol/carboplatin is now the standard treatment for advanced cancer.  However, I am surprised that the oncologist was so definite about all other options being off the table.  The effectiveness of treatment is very hard for even the experts to predict and sometimes (but not always) a really good response opens up further avenues of treatment.

Please let us know how they get on, I am wishing them so much luck.

Irene xx

Thanks Irene.

yes it’s more I am looking to understand what options people were given/are going through to seek out potential discussions with the oncologist. He is very direct and makes us nervous to ask questions if I am being honest. 
she is only 2 doses in to the cycle and now reduced paclitaxel to 75% due to fevers. 
I am seeking to understand those who have been offered surgery, to understand how that option was offered as I understand it depends on the location and spread.

thanks for the support

 Hope211 

My own experience (and I am not an expert) is that my paclitaxel or carboplatin (or maybe both) was reduced to 75% after one session as my liver was really affected.  My oncologist wasn't concerned, she said that my body had reacted strongly to the chemo and I went on to have the remaining five cycles at 75%.

Irene xx

Hi. I’m in a similar position. The 5.5 weeks of chemo radiation completely cleared my anal cancer and the locally affected lymph nodes, but my first 3 month scan has shown new and multiple lesions on both lobes of my liver. My oncologist said that because of the number and spread of the lesions surgery isn’t possible at the moment. So I’m about to start Carboplatin/Paclitaxel. She says we will scan after 3 months and see what’s happening. She hasn’t completely ruled out future surgery but said I shouldn’t rely on it being an option as they really don’t have any idea how or of the chemo might work for me. She says to have the treatment over a 28 day cycle as that is the best evidenced option for this type of cancer. I am not getting a second opinion at this point as what she says about the spread does make sense. Can’t say I’m looking forward to it, but what choice do we have? How’s your relative doing? 
Sarah x