Q
: 1
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.
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Q
: 2
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.
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Q
: 3
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.
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Q
: 4
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.
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Q
: 5
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).
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Q
: 6
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.
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Q
: 7
01/29/2009 |
my 30 year old husband was diagnosed with stage IV GE junction cancer (Adenocarcinoma) with innumerable liver metastasis. His bilirubin level hovers around 18 and
his ALP level is in the 800s. The doctors are concerned that his liver is going to fail. He started on FOLFOX the
day he was diagnosed and we hope to see an improvement soon. Would he be eligible for any additional liver
treatments?
This would depend on his response to the current treatment and his liver function.
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Q
: 8
01/09/2009 |
My sister was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago. She was treated with chemotherapy for 6 months. After three months, she had blood work done and it showed her cancer markers were high. They found that her liver had numerous tumors and she was told that they cannot do resection. She is now receiving chemotherapy. I have heard about a procedure called Isolated Hepatic Perfusion. Would she be a candidate? I just would like to look into all possibilities for her.
Isolated hepatic perfusion is not currently being done for colorectal cancer. However, there are other targeted therapy options we can provide, such as chemoembolization, or Sir-Spheres. Please see our Web site for more information at this link: http://www.umgcc.org/gi_program/liver_dir_therapy.htm.
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Q
: 9
12/30/2008 |
My 84-year-old father has just completed his 4th chemo treatment for spots on the liver as a result of colon cancer. He is not able to tolerate more of these treatments. He has become very weak. Before this ordeal, he was in excellent health. He never got a second opinion and chemo was the only treatment offered. Since we have to discontinue the chemo treatment because of the side effects, do you think there is anything else we can do for him? Thank you for any suggestions you can offer.
At this stage and considering his age and overall condition, it is important to focus on and maintain a good quality of life. If the liver lesions are small and limited in number, liver-targeted therapy may be a good option. (See information on our Liver-Directed Therapies Program at: http://www.umgcc.org/gi_program/liver_dir_therapy.htm).
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Q
: 10
09/12/2008 |
My 55-year-old brother has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer. MRI of brain, colonoscopy, egd all negative. Pancreas looks OK on CT. Is there any treatment when the disease is advanced? He has now developed edema and ascites. They are still investigating the primary site of the cancer.
Treatment is dependent on what type of cancer, primary hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic disease. If it is unresectable or inoperable, chemotherapy or targeted liver therapy may still be possible.
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Q
: 11
04/15/2008 |
My mother was just diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. She is 77 years old, Asian and her tumor is 5 cm. What is the best treatment for her?
Surgery is the best option if she is in good shape. If there is liver cirrhosis, she should be evaluated for liver transplant. Will be glad to see and evaluate her.
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Q
: 12
04/05/2008 |
I am a patient who has been diagnosed with VIPOMA tumors in the liver, too numerous to operate. I'm in the process of seeing if I am a candidate for chemo-embolization. I'd like to know whether this an appropriate treatment and what are the chances that I can have a little longer life if I go through this.
We will always be glad to review your files as well. One possible treatment option is radioembolization (Sir-spheres). Here's a link: http://www.umgcc.org/sir-spheres/index.htm.
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Q
: 13
04/04/2008 |
My friend has been diagnosed with severe hepatomegaly. Doctors have told her the only cure is a liver transplant, but that the condition can be kept from worsening with medicine. Is there anything new in treatment for this disease? Could there be an alternative treatment?
Hepatomegaly is not a disease by itself. There is something that is causing the liver to be enlarged, such as hepatitis. Treatment will depend on what caused the liver to enlarge.
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Q
: 14
03/11/2008 |
After 11 years being cancer-free following breast cancer, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and had a colon resection last week. They also discovered liver cancer, which is extensive and inoperable. They are recommending the Folfox regimen with Avastin, a systemic treatment. Would the direct chemo to the liver be more beneficial? How bad are the side effects? Currently, she is in great health otherwise and her liver tests are perfect. What is life like if liver cancer is left untreated?
The proposed regiemen is appropriate at this stage. The exact duration, and frequency will be determined by her doctor. The side effects are different and should be discussed by the medical oncologist. I would not recommend no treatment.
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Q
: 15
06/14/2007 |
I am a 51-yo caucasian female diagnosed with colon cancer in 12/06. A colon resection was done. Supposedly they got everything, no chemo or radiation. At that time, the CT scan showed many liver spots. However, the surgeon stated that he checked my liver when he performed the surgery and everything was fine. I am anemic and extremely fatigued. Other symptoms include skin pigmentation in groin area, hair loss, nausea, weight gain, fever up to 100 and slight sore throat for a week. I've had about every test possible to rule out connective tissue problems, adrenal gland, thyroid, etc. All normal. My primary care physician is sending me for a MRI of the liver next week and to see a hematologist. Could it be that the colon cancer wasn't primary?
The liver spots seen on CT scan can often be benign cysts or granulomas. MRI is very sensitive. Also for colon cancer, you should have a CEA level checked on a regular basis to follow if cancer is coming back.
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