Multiple liver mets, heartbroken

Hi Cw1987 

So sorry to hear your husband has to face more treatment . It’s so harsh to hear of a recurrence. Is it affecting all the segments in his liver ? 
To put this in context back in 2009 my mum was diagnosed with a significant spread at diagnosis in her liver and classed as inoperable. She had five mets , one being five cm. Chemo did a great job despite being harsh . Has your husband ever had chemo ? 
She had a combined liver and bowel resection. Unfortunately three months later she had a further spread in her liver . At this point she was referred to a centre of excellence for the liver . They also do the liver transplants and there are around seven in Britain . Despite the spread in segments four to eight , segments one to three were clear of cancer . They were able to remove 73% of her liver which did regenerate . This did regenerate and she remained cancer free in her liver . She did have it in her lung also but lived for 15 years after and died of other complications in her 80s .

Location matters when it comes to the liver . Has he had a consultation with a liver surgeon ? 
Everyone is entitled to a second opinion . Star74  went for a private consultation which was informative. But you can also request this on the nhs if that is of benefit .

I think Wellspring  had Tace so might be worthwhile connecting with him .

It is the start of more treatment and is very frightening but bowel cancer even when its spread can still be very treatable.

We are very much here for you .

Court 

Hi Cw1987 ,

I'm so sorry to read about your husband, it's a huge blow to go from stage 1/2 to 4 and it will take time for this news to settle.

Once there has been a spread, chemo is usually the first step, not only will it hopefully see off any micro disease and shrink or stabilise the liver mets, it will also show the Oncologist and Surgeons how he responds to treatment.

As court says, the location of the mets is important.  I was diagnosed in 2020 and after numerous cycles of chemo, my hospital said no to a liver resection so I had 2 second opinions, one private with Professor Lodge in Leeds and one NHS with Mr Rees in Basingstoke.  Thankfully Basingstoke agreed to operate, everything they took out was dead cancer cell and my liver has been clear for 3 years.

I hope my story gives you a bit of hope, my youngest was 3 when I was diagnosed, he's about to turn 7.  It's hard with little ones but they have a great way of keeping you going and giving you a sense of normality!

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the response Court, it’s apparently in all 4 segments but I read on the internet there’s 8 so not sure what they mean. I’ve reached out to Prof Lodge who said he will look at the scans, I only emailed him this morning and he sent a lovely emaiL back I just bawled my eyes out. The biggest issue I have is my husband is u willing for chemo, I think it’s through pure fear of last year when he had tablets with radio and the local team let him down badly with pain relief from radio , he also had sepsis after his op this year and rushed back in so he’s gone through some major trauma. X

Thanks so much this does give me hope, it’s the chemo he is reluctant to have. I’ve reached out to Prof Lodge and he’s sent me a lovely email this morning saying the fact it’s taken 3 years to move is a positive and his CEA has always been low until last week. I just need to persuade him not to give up. He’s been through so so much and he keeps saying he’s a peace with his death which destroys me he’s only 38. X

That's brilliant, Prof Lodge is fabulous and such a lovely gentleman too.  Get all the info from everyone and then he can make an informed decision.  It's a lot to take in, one step at a time.x

We found it helpful to speak to a liver surgeon. It’s their specialist field . It will even allow you to get all the information about the spread . It is pretty universal to go to  chemo first but it can be so helpful in understanding the processes as it has its complexity. Definitely eight segments in the liver . 

You are doing really well by the way in a difficult set of circumstances. Some drs will only need to see the scans . 

Hearing it’s spread for the patient is tough . Hearing the treatment approaches available can give a bit of control and understanding of what they hope to achieve  . My mum would say she needed time to get her focus . Take in all the information and make an informed choice . It can be so overwhelming. Meanwhile I was busy in the background exploring the options and making sure each avenue was thoroughly investigated to make sure she was actually fully informed . 

Children are such a powerful motivator . It must be so hard for you just now so we are definitely here .

Take care ,

Court 

 Managing a spread to the liver !

Just to let you see how others managed this ! 
Court