Stage 4 bowel cancer

Hi Ladyladadriver Please don’t give up hope. Palliative care means that although the cancer might not be curable, it is still treatable and and who knows what options that might bring up in the future. Chemo might be tough but it is worth doing. I’ve attached a link to a post below that you might like to read and if you click on Courts name then her profile page will show her mums success with liver mets.

 Multiple liver mets, heartbroken 

Please keep posting and the support desk will be happy to chat to you if you’re struggling?

Take care

Karen x

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. That is a tough diagnosis but you have so much to live for. If it were me, I'd do the chemo. So many people are living a long time after diagnosis and new treatments are coming out frequently.  

I'm confused by the statement that chemo could significantly shorten your life. There are risks with anything but I've not heard it said like that before. If there are underlying health conditions that make traditional chemo a problem you might try to get alternative treatment. I'm not sure how this works in the UK but maybe get a second opinion if alternative options aren't given.

Hi Ladyladadriver 

Welcome to the forum . Grandchildren are a powerful motivator and I do think my mum undertook treatment to try and stay with her grandchildren.

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/advanced-bowel-cancer/treating-advanced-bowel-cancer/spread-to-the-liver/

You might find this a helpful read . It’s common to go straight to chemo when a spread is involved to stabilise the disease . 
But they do reassess and see if they can add in other approaches if they can .

My mum managed to get to a centre of excellence for the liver and they removed 73% . It did regenerate. 
Her liver remained clear after that operation.

It is frightening at the start and we certainly looked for hope and to see what some people achieved . Chemo certainly played a big role in my mums treatment plan .

I wish you every success .

Take care ,

Court 

Court That is absolutely amazing wish your Mum all the best for her future 

I have just been diagnosed with stage 4 in my liver also - bowel cancer 2 years ago was doing great then the shock -  the treatment etc still to begin 

But thank you so much for sharing your Mum's story as it gives me hope 

Take Care and enjoy every moment together 

Suzy J

Hi Suzy J 

That is such a shame to have to face more treatment . But there are so many different approaches to treating a spread to the liver . 
My mum actually passed last year , but she made it to 82 years of age despite being diagnosed at 67 with a spread already there in her liver .

After the centre of excellence operated on her she had no further issues with her liver . She had 73% removed . It regenerated well . It functioned well and she never looked back .

She was out Kayaking up to her late seventies . Despite a few bumps along the way she did very well .

I know how important it is to know there is hope . I connected with people in the same situation 15 years ago and despite a spread in the liver they had successful treatment and heading along to two decades since diagnosis. 
Keep in touch . 
Best foot forward to successful treatment .

Court 

Hello Ladyladadriver

I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with spread to liver and right lung in June 2024.  I was told at this time that my cancer was inoperable and that my treatment would be palliative.  I have had 6 months of fortnightly Oxiplatin, Cetuximab and Folfox and a further 6 months of fortnightly maintenance treatment consisting of Cetuximab and Folfox.  It has not been easy but I am now at a stage where surgery is being considered. 

In my opinion it is worth going ahead with chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumours and hopefully other treatment may  then be available to you.

Best wishes

Thank you so much for your information - it certainly doesn't sound like any easy journey for you but my fingers are crossed for a brighter future for you - yea have still to face the unknown though had chemo before after my bowel op - oxiplantin left me with severe neuropathy in hands / legs and feet so they are definitely leaving it out this time 

Anyone going through a cancer diagnosis is scary but always someone to talk to Take care