Bad news following Liver operation

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My husband had liver surgery 9 weeks ago to remove bowel cancer that has spread to his liver he also had it in his lungs. He had had 6 sessions of chemo and responded very positively his tumour in the bowel had almost gone the lung had almost gone and the liver was operable. Following his liver surgery they were very happy how it went. Unfortunately we have just been told that the cancer has grown. It’s 3.5 months since his last chemo. We are very upset and wondering what our options are likely to be and what should we ask at our next appointment? 

  • Hi 

    Welcome to the forum . Can I just ask where the cancer has grown ?

    If you click on my user name you can read my mum’s story . She had a good response to chemo had a combined liver and bowel resection only to discover at the first scan she had a further five mets on her liver . My own view is cancer most likely will grow to some degree off chemotherapy. They sent her back to chemotherapy that shrank it down again and she had more surgery . 
    Then a few years later a lung met popped up and she had surgery on it .

    His team will gather together again and see the best plan for him to regain control of the disease .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Hello- I am sympathetic It is such a shock -my husband recently had bowel and liver surgery and we thought all was clear but …... We felt just like you-and now we are into another chemo round and there are options thereafter. Everyone is different but they will try all sorts of options. I rang the Macmillan nurse help line to get help on what to ask and they were great. Good luck -will think of you- be as positive as you can xx

  • He was diagnosed last October with bowel cancer that had spread to his liver and lung. 

  • https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/TreatingAdvancedBowelCancer_BowelCancerUK.pdf
    If you click on this link it explains fully the treatment options that can be used . Some people are on their sixth or seventh year of treatment with chemotherapy. This booklet explains it well .

    We also have a service where you can ask the nurse if you would find it helpful .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert

    You can post a question to one of the nurses with the above link or phone our helpline on 0808 808 0000

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • I have read through the leaflet as I’ve seen you post it previously but to be honest there is so much in it and it’s not easy to understand which options are open to you. It’s very much depends on where you are and your hospital etc. I’m sure like many others, I find it all very confusing. We try to be proactive but it’s not always easy getting answers and help understanding options. 

  • I understand . You might like to ask his oncologist a few questions .

    1 . What his cell type is . This allows you to work out which treatment options are open to him . His oncologist should be able to write that down for you . That slims down the clinical pathway that he can pursue .

    2. Where the disease that has grown off treatment is located and how big was the growth 

    3. What treatment do they propose and also what other avenues would they look at for the future .

    If it’s too confusing face to face you could email the consultants secretary and ask for it in writing as you need to understand his options .

    If it’s a case of the liver being clear after surgery and the lung and bowel tumour growing they are inclined to use chemotherapy to begin with as it’s a systemic approach ( can tackle all areas at once ).

    Our helpline staff help People understand their diagnosis and treatment . They will be happy to explain it all at any time if it helps to chat in person .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Thank you so much. Our appointment is tomorrow we have been feeling so terrified since we got the news this week 

  • They will still help him . 

    It’s all very scary but they will still have a good plan for him that they will adapt as required .

    However it’s hard and it hurts finding this out .

    We are here for you .

    Let us know how tomorrow goes .

    Court .

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000