Q
: 1
05/10/2010 |
My sister-in-law is 35 and has been told she has localized resectable liver cancer and that she will need 70% of her liver removed. What are our options? Is recovery possible?
Surgery is the best option. Expert liver surgeons should be able to do the procedure with good outcomes.
|
Q
: 2
04/10/2010 |
My sister has liver cancer and speckled tumours over 75% of her liver. Without treatment she has been given a life expectancy of 12-18 months and she also had colon cancer and a large tumour removed 15 months ago. A liver operation was unsuccessful because of the location of the tumours (on drainage ducts, junctions and arteries) and removal would have been dangerous. What alternatives does she have now?
Alternative options would include chemo-embolization or SIR-Spheres.
|
Q
: 3
03/27/2010 |
A recent CT scan showed a 3cm lesion on my liver. An MRI was done but they are unsure of results at this time. Am I wrong for wanting a biopsy or am I overreacting?
Liver masses are usually not normal and need to come out. We generally do not do biopsy, but it is not unreasonable if it will give you peace of mind. Just remember that a negative biopsy does not mean surgery is not needed.
|
Q
: 4
03/15/2010 |
I am at high risk for liver cancer and have hepatitis B. What can I do to reduce the risk of developing cancer?
You should avoid alcohol altogether and enroll in a surveillance program for early detection.
|
Q
: 5
02/15/2010 |
My mother was diagnosed with liver cancer 3 years ago. She had a resection, but the cancer returned and she received SIR spheres. She has had no activity in the large tumor, but now a smaller one has formed. Her doctor has schedule her for SIRT, but I was wondering why they wouldn't try RFA? Is there a reason SIRT may be favored over RFA?
Currently, there is no data that suggests SIRT is better than RFA. Limitation to RFA could be due to your location.
|
Q
: 6
02/13/2010 |
I have recently been diagnosed with numerous hepatic adenomas in my liver after having a CT scan. I have a history of melanoma (all removed), do I need to have a biopsy done or can I be sure that these hepatic adenomas are benign?
Because of your medical history, it is unsafe to assume that the hepatic adenomas are benign. You should schedule the biopsy.
|
Q
: 7
12/09/2009 |
In June 2009 my 39-year-old husband was diagnosed with colon cancer with metastases to the liver and lungs. Currently, his colon is inactive and the lungs have stabilized. However, the main tumor in his liver has grown to 14cm. He has smaller lesions but only one large one. His blood work and numbers have been surprisingly good all things considered. He has been receiving IPT chemo and has been treated approximately 40 times. His CEA numbers have been up and down and yesterday registered at 1511. What would you recommend to arrest the development of cancer and get the tumor in the liver under control. We've been told it cannot be surgically removed at its current size.
In addition to chemotherapy, your husband should be evaluated for Sir-spheres (liver directed radiation beads) as this treatment may help to shrink the tumor.
|
Q
: 8
10/10/2009 |
My husband has colon cancer. he had the FOLFOX treatment after removal of the original tumor and part of his colon. The cancer spread to his abdomen and liver. Now he is on the FOLFORI treatment. I have heard that hyperthermic treatment plus the chemo is more effective than the chemo alone. Do you have knowledge of this combination therapy approach?
We are one of the few institutions in the U.S. that perform cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for carcinomatosis. You can find more information on our web site. (http://www.umgcc.org/surgonc_program/hipec.htm) We will be happy to review your husband's case and evaluate him for the procedure. Feel free to call my office, 410-328-7320, for more information.
|
Q
: 9
09/04/2009 |
What are the pros and cons of chemoembolization for metastasized liver cancer?
Liver-directed therapies are reserved for non-resectable (inoperable) tumors. The effectiveness is dependent on the histology, or microscopic characteristics, of the tumor. Side effects (pain, nausea, vomiting, hematoma)are usually minor and self-limiting.
|
Q
: 10
08/07/2009 |
I recently had a CT scan to check out a suspicious lesion on my lung. Two large cysts were discovered on my liver, but the Radiologist said they have a benign appearance. I'm having some pain in my upper abdomen and was wondering if I should have these checked out. Could they be cancer even though the Radiologist says they are benign. What type of doctor should I see? I have made an appointment with my gastroenterologist.
Cysts on the liver are benign and rarely cause any symptoms. Seeing your gastroenterologist is an appropriate course of action.
|
Q
: 11
07/06/2009 |
I am a 51-year-old female who is experiencing upper right abdominal pain. The pain is mild, but bothersome, and usually feels like an aching/burning sensation that comes and goes throughout the day and while I am sleeping. Typically, it lasts for a few weeks and then nothing for months or a year later. An ultrasound 7 years ago did show small cysts in the liver but subsequent imaging showed no abnormalities. I have addressed it with my doctor on several visits, noting that I have always had wine with meals, but he says there is no relation to alcohol intake. The last few weeks I have noticed pain in my right side after drinking. I stopped drinking wine for a month to see if I noticed a difference and the pain was reduced, although I still felt it from time to time. I am very worried because now, there does seem to be a cause-effect relationship between consuming wine and the pain. Is it possible that my drinking caused liver damage? Is there another test that should be done?
The only relationship between alcohol intake and pain is in a condition called porphyria. Excessive and heavy alcohol intake can cause liver damage and eventually lead to cirrhosis. I do not think you are drinking that much especially if your liver function tests are normal. For peace of mind a CT scan or MRI would evaluate the liver
|
Q
: 12
05/22/2009 |
My wife had a check-up with her GP and several small lesions were found on her liver. We were told that they presented as benign, but to come back for ultrasound in 3 months. She got her 2nd ultrasound yesterday and was told that the lesions had doubled in size. What could the possible explanations be for this occurrence?
I would recommend a biopsy to determine the exact nature of these lesions, especially if they are enlarging.
|
Q
: 13
02/08/2009 |
My father has stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to his liver. He's had chemotherapy and can no longer tolerate it and is now facing liver failure. He has no pain, but tires easily and is 78 years old. I watched the World News report regarding the clinical trials that Dr. Alexander is working on with targeted chemo saturation of the liver on a patient who had melanoma that had spread to the liver. Could this treatment work for my father too?
Unfortunately, the treatment you specified is only used for patients with melanoma and is not used for patients with colorectal cancer.
|
Q
: 14
02/05/2009 |
My husband has carcinoid tumors throughout his liver. We watched the segment on ABC news with Dr.Alexander's trial, and I want to ask if you are using chemoembolization for this advanced stage of carcinoid tumors. My understanding is that they don't respond well to traditional chemotherapy.
The isolated hepatic perfusion trial is for melanoma only. For neuro-endocrine tumors, alternative targeted liver-directed options include SIR-Spheres (http://www.umgcc.org/sir-spheres/about_sirt.htm).
|
Q
: 15
02/02/2009 |
I have a tumor on the right lobe of my liver. The size of it is about 1.3 cm. Is it too small for a biopsy?
Size alone is not the only factor in determining whether or not a biopsy should be performed. Other factors include location, proximity to other structures and how easily the tumor can be seen.
|
