Secondary liver cancer

Hi JoJo32,

So sorry to hear his scan did not bring better news . It’s horrible to hear it’s moved to a different organ however they are much more aggressive with liver mets than when my mum was diagnosed ten years ago .

Bowel cancer is in the fortunate position of having a few different treatment options from Chemo , surgery and Radio Frequency Ablation . All are governed by criteria .

The benefits of subjecting himself to the scanning protocol is they can get in earlier which can often lead to more options . There are centres of excellence for the liver . Around seven in the Uk . If you google liver transplants you will be able to identify them .

If you click on my user name you will see my mum’s journey . She has had two liver resections . Her liver remains clear eight years later . She is not alone . There are many people getting good outcome . A note of caution in interpreting the stats . Ten years ago it was very difficult to get a referral to a liver surgeon . Some of treatments used today were not available. So for an observation point of view things seem to have changed but I would think there is still a five year lag in that coming through . Best to see him as a statistic of one as it’s only really is own that matter . If you are going to google research have a look at the research date . I have given myself a few frights over the years by reading old research articles . It’s a work in progress but even on the forums I have witnessed a big change .

My mum is ten years into her stage 4 diagnosis and living a good life .

I wish him every success and a great treatment plan . I know just how despairing this stage is but it does feel better once they have the full picture and put that plan together .
take care ,

 Court  

Thank you for your comments. 
he has to wait 2/3 weeks for a MRI SCAN and they they will discuss a plan. 
I wonder if we should look into private mri scans?

should I investigate hospital of excellence? 

I did mention to my partner about seei g if you can be referred to royal Marsden but he said he doesn’t want to travel far to places. 

The two to three weeks would be very standard . Honestly don’t think you need to get other scans just now .The MDT team would probably need to access them . 

The MDT meeting reviews after the results are in . Each time my mum went back on chemo which although frustrating was a good plan . She had surgery at the end of the process. Everyone seems to be individual with the best approach for them but I would wait to hear the plan as they will encounter this a lot . If they recommend surgery you could ask about the centres of excellence. Some surgery is carried out locally . My mum’s first liver resection was local but the larger resection was carried out at a centre of excellence . Totally personal opinion but the second time the entire ward was set up for purely liver resections and ran like clockwork . Everywhere is different I guess . 

This bit is super frustrating as required quite a bit of waiting around but that is pretty standard . However they have taken excellent care of my mum when the time came . 

Thinking of you both ,

Court 

I suppose I just need to know he has a chance. 
mew really thought the chemo was a precaution!

thank you for replying to me x

For sure and some people here have had the MRI only to find out they were benign . 

Once the information is gathered you will be better placed to know for sure but my mum was classed as a significant spread to her liver . One tumour alone was 5 cm and they were able to remove 73% of her liver after chemo . She recovered well . 

They never sent my mum for an MRI . I think they were pretty certain from the CT . Hopefully they are small . 

take care ,

 Court 

Ok thank you. 

and best wishes to your amazing Mum xx

When I was in hospital last August I was in a hepaticbiliarypancreatic ward and lots of the patients were having metastasis removed from their livers.There are so many more options now than there us to be ,you need an expert surgeon who is prepared to try and do their best to increase survival rates,Never give up

Thank you. I will hang onto every positive xx

Hi Court & Jojo

I'm pleased to find this discussion. My husband found this week that he had bowel cancer which has spread to both halves of his liver. It has been the most shocking week - consultants have led us to feel there is very little hope. I have done plenty of reading to suggest that is the case but I'm looking for shards of light. He had the primary cancer removed this week as partially obstructed. Now waiting for liver mri & oncologist appt. I feel I need to ensure that everything that could be used is on the table but concerned in case some treatments which could help are not offered. He is late 50s and fit which I'm hopi g is in his favour

Xx

Hi

Welcome to the forum . Glad you found us but I am so sorry to hear about your husband . 

I totally understand your concern as I searched forums ten years ago looking for hope .

Some people are extremely good responders to chemo and going straight to chemo can be a good plan . It allows the existing spread to be tackled and prevent any further spread from occurring. 
There are people who have maintenance chemo for years and do very well with it .

My own mum only ever had six cycles in one go . The six cycles removed the mets from the scan . It took two years of treatment and a few bumps along the way to gain the upper hand in the liver .

I can understand your concern about accessing treatment . Bowel cancer has pretty standard first line treatment and that’s all my mum ever had . Depending on his cell type some other targeted therapies can be added . Bowel cancer has quite a few chemo options . I shall look out the list for you as it’s reassuring in some ways .

Initially the use of language is very conservative with regards to prognosis until they see how each individual responds to treatments . In fact my mum refused all such conversations as she wished to focus on her wellbeing and felt she had a grasp of the situation . However it does alter with time and start referring to it in more chronic illness terms .

Its such a shock to hear its moved to another organ . But once all the tests are finished and a treatment plan is put in place you do feel as though something is being done . Despite a difficult diagnosis there are a subgroup if patients that do well . 

I hope the MRI comes through quickly and you can both focus on the treatment plan .

Please feel free to ask any questions as lots of people have a wealth of experience and happy to share .

take care ,

 Court