Chemotherapy for secondary liver cancer

Hi Jools63 

I've had chemotherapy, but not for secondary cancer, so I've searched the group and found these previous posts which mention it. You could have a look through some of the more recent ones and reply to any where you think the poster might be able to help further.

Wishing you all the best

x

Thanks latchbrook that’s very kind of you.

Hi Jools63 

My mum never had post op chemo only ever chemo to shrink the tumours . They were able to keep her on Oxaliplatin and cap tablets as long as she has six months in between . Not sure what the rules currently are . But she officially only moved onto second line treatment this year .

The reason she never had post op chemo , they did not believe in treating non visible disease in a stage four setting . They wanted to keep as many options as possible available to her if ever needed .

Had she gone onto second line treatment back then I think they was talk of removing Oxaliplatin and adding in Flofiri. She also might have been eligible to add in Cetuximab. She is currently using Cetuximab now and it’s going ok .

I see some oncologist prefer to use Flofiri first and Oxaliplatin second but it seems to alternate between the two . Nice has some guidelines if you want to know . It’s available online and gives the recommended pattern .

Take care. 

Court 

Hi Jools

I had 3 months or 4 cycles of Capecitabine & Oxaliplatin (Capox)

Then was offered 4 cycles Capecitabine as I had a bad reaction to Oxaliplatin, but the Capecitabine had to be stopped after the second round due to toxin poisoning.

I am now waiting for my next Oncologist appointment to hear what is on offer.

Good luck to you.

I’m so sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to your treatment Dorothea. I hope you don’t have to wait too long to see the oncologist. Sending you a big virtual hug.

Hi Dorothea

Have you got an appointment with your oncologist yet? I’ll be having the same treatment as you for the first 3 months, then a scan to see if it’s working. How did you cope with the initial treatment? I hope you’re doing okay now.

Hi Jools63

The first 3 months was a bit of a rollercoaster.  I did not manage my nausea the right why and by day 4 had to go in for an injection.  The second round went fine, and I thought I was doing great with the 3rd round but in the rest week one morning I could not lift my left arm, my face drooped, speech slurred so we thought I had a stroke.  I had a brain CT scan and nothing showed up, it was a side effect of the Oxaliplatin and very bad neuropathy.  My Oncologist stopped the Oxaliplatin and only continued the 4th round with Capecitabine.  My side effects are not common, but what I can tell you is, stay away from cold drinks as your throat will close up, use socks over door handles as the cold is very painful.  Don’t eat anything cold, room temperature is fine.  Please take your anti nausea even if you are not feeling sick.  It is far better to prevent.  Oh yeh and on day 3 I had a runny tummy.  The first day I felt fine, day 2-6 I felt like a zombie, day 7-15 I would perk up but will still be tired by 8pm and the day 16-21 I would feel “normal” then we start again. 

I am seeing my Oncologist this coming Thursday so I will hear what I’m offered this time round.  

I will be thinking of you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me any time .  Xx

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Dorothea. I am really grateful that you have given me such helpful advice. I have agreed with my nurse and oncologist that I won’t suffer in silence. As I’ve never had infusions before I am quite anxious. There’s nothing worse than being well, and the thought of treatment making me ill. I had the tablets alongside radiotherapy first time around. I think the travelling 40 miles each way to hospital had a negative effect on my stomach. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck with your appointment on Thursday. Let me know how you get on when you feel up to it? X