Bowel Cancer that has gone to Liver

Hi JoeyB

Sorry to hear that . I assume this is relatively new information for you both . My mum’s original oncologist was pretty relaxed about that too and offered a holiday before hand , so a few weeks won’t impact anything too much I would not think . Is that the time frame you are talking about ?

My mum had chemotherapy and inoperable became operable twice for her liver . However although they don’t go for a surgical option right away it is best after chemo to get a consultation with a surgeon at a centre of excellence in the liver . They know exactly what they can achieve . My mum had 73% of her liver resected as segments one to three remained clear and the rest shrank . There are around seven in the U.K.  . You can identify them as they are also the teams that do liver transplants so easy to Google . Some may do private work and most consultants are listed on the NHS to help find your way to someone who is skilled in that area for a second opinion . Just going to tag in Star74 as she has gone through some of this . Also your husband is entitled to one on the NHS but again you want to get to a surgeon in the field of liver surgery . Your Gp or current oncologist can assist with this . Our helpline staff 0808 808 0000 would be happy to talk it through with you .

Do you know what areas in the liver are affected . Star74 might be busy with part 2 of her treatment plan but hopefully will have five minutes . She is  really a star that way !

Was it a liver surgeon who reviewed your husband ? 
Take care and hope chemo does a powerful job at turning this around .

• Court 

Thank you so much for replying.  We have had some chemo and the oncologist seemed positive saying the cancer had shrunk by 1/3 and that it may be operable but that he wanted the liver surgeon to take a look.  The liver surgeon has now said it is not operable and we await the next steps from the oncologist.  It feels like we are going around in circles, meanwhile my husband is not having any treatment.  Last treatment was end of December.  I can't understand how we go from positive to negative when looking at same scans?  I will do some googling now.  Thank you again

Sometimes they like them to go back for a bit more chemotherapy . Star had a similar situation and consulted with a different surgeon and ended up getting surgery so definitely worthwhile checking out . I would hold onto the fact he is chemo responsive . That’s a big plus . How many cycles did he have ?

Court 

Hi. Just to say I also have bowel cancer with secondaries which have appeared in the liver. After 2 successful resections I’m undergoing chemo before another probable resection. The treatment has been off and on since 2017 as scans showed up problem areas. I was also concerned that it seemed to take a long time to begin this course of treatment as the 1st scan to show the latest metastasis was in August but this was small and so there was time (until December). A PET scan was the clearest and put my mind at rest in November as it showed only a 1.2cm lesion. Hope all goes smoothly for you

You are doing great  I was just about to say it took two full years of on /off treatment to get my mum To a better position and then she had a break before heading back for a further resection . That one was the last thankfully .

Have you got a plan for this one . Seems small enough to have options hopefully !

Take care ,

Court 

Hi JoeyB

My ears were burning court !

I was was diagnosed with extensive spread to the liver and started chemo in Dec 20.  Like yours, my oncologist was always very positive and I was under the impression that I would be able to have surgery as long as there was enough shrinkage.  I had CT scans after every 4 cycles and each time I would get referred to the liver surgeon in my local hospital and each time I was refused surgery.  My oncologist added Cetuximab and this had great results, she even called me out of the blue and happily told me the tumours had shrunk by 30%, she would refer it but again, it was a no.  After a bad reaction to the chemo in Sep 21, I was advised to have a break and it was then that I was told the surgeon will not operate, ever, due to one of the tumours being on the main vein, needless to say I was devastated.  I asked my oncologist for a 2nd opinion, this was never offered to me I had to ask but she was happy to oblige and referred me to Basingstoke.  In the meantime I also approached Mr Peter Lodge in Leeds for a private consultation, very easy process, he obtained and reviewed all of my scans and we had a zoom consultation within 2 weeks.  

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to respond.  This has lifted me this morning and there have been a few tears.  I am going to google a centre of excellence and suggest to the oncologist we have a second opinion.  I think one of the lesions may be in a difficult place but the oncologist was so positive he thought we would be able to operate now rather after more chemo.  I just find it hard to get such devastating news via a phone call, that we weren't expecting.  So the highs and lows are hard to manage.  Thank you again

JoeyB and Star74 the people in society who humble me right now are on these pages . Navigating this during a pandemic with the support structures stripped away is so different to the structures that were around my mum and it pains me greatly to see the years of work that has gone in over decades evaporate . However people like Star74 are the people in society that need to be recognised for their perseverance and tenacity . They have paved the way in showing others how to lift people back up despite difficult circumstances. 
I thought it might do you good to read her thoughts and experiences. Many steps to Ned !

Court 

You are most welcome JoeyB I'm glad to still be here to share my story, in October I was about to start palliative radiotherapy so it shows how things can turn around. You are your own best advocate, get other opinions as all surgeons will have different views on how far they can go.  It's good that your onc is positive, sounds like he is really rooting for you and that makes such a difference.  Its a scary place to be but one step at a time....

court as always a wonderful way with words, that brought a tear to my eye!  I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say the work you do here is amazing, I still remember your reply to me over a year ago which brought me some peace.  Thank you!

It is really scary .... The nurse in the oncology team has said the only center of excellence she is aware of is Basingstoke.  Otherwise we need to go via our GP for a referral?  It is all so incredibly hard.