Stomach Cancer Has Moved To The Liver

I have just found out that my stomach cancer has moved to the liver. I had 80%of my stomach removed 12-26-06 followed by chemo and radiation. I have a tumor 5.7 cm.  Has anyone else had this happen?  How did they treat it. I am afraid with it going to the liver the liver this is the beginning of the end. I go friday to see a surgeon at Barnes hospital. Thursday I have another PET scan to see if it has spread anywhere else. Please help I am so scared!!!

katrina, i am so very sorry. the speading to the liver is very common. the liver is the filter and everything goes through it, so it is very easy for cancer to travel to.

if there is 1 large mass or others that are in the same area, the liver would be good to do surgery on. they can take part of the liver. it is much bigger than we think and 1 surgeon we saw said that in reality the dr's could take about 70% and the pt would still have a functioning liver. there is also something that we've heard of and that is where they inject "seeds" into the liver directly and that acts like a chemo and helps to rid the tumor.

the dr's may also opt to do radiation and shrink the heck out of it and then go from there. but try to get as much info as you can about different procedures and bring them up at your appt.  you may also want to get a 2nd opinion. in new york @ sloan, they do alot of liver cancer stuff. so if you might be anywhere near there, that could be an option. also cancer treatment centers of america have some great equiptment & procedures that many other places still don't.

keep the faith! stay strong! never give up! keep us updated. my thoughts will be with you. take care, kri

Katrina

 

My father has stomach cancer  since nov.06, but never had surgery done , he is being treated with chimo , may 07  it has moved to  his liver ,  with chimo  it became smaller and now its gone , But also they can do surgery and remove most of the liver , just be strong  there are thing that can be done  it  migth be the beginig  but  it s not the end , Go for it take as many opinions as you can , God will never leave you .Katrina which hospital did you go for  stomach surgery  and do you know any good surgens?Never give up  , stay srtong  as you did before and you will win.

Kristine 

Thank you for both of your replies. I had my stomach surgery in chicago, the surgeon has moved to New Jersey so he is not an option. From what I have read this doctor at Barnes in St. Louis seems very good, then I have another opinion next week. When you first find out it is like there is this big cloud over you that you have trouble even thinking.  thank goodness for my family being with me every step of the way.

 i am trying to keep positive and keep faith, it is hard. Once I get this doctor's visit over on Friday at least I will know what we are dealing with and the process we need to take. I am encouraged by your replies, thank you so much. This is a horrible disease!!!

 

Sorry to hear what happened.

Unfortunately, doctors doesn't tell cancer patient how to prevent recurrence.  Studies even find post surgery follow up did not even improve chance of recurrence for gastric cancer much.  I strongly suggest you to look into diet therapy such as Budwig flaxseed and cottage, raw vegetable, fruit diet and supplement such as IP-6, mushroom.  It is a lifetime job to fight the recurrence.  There are so much information if you search it.

I know tumor markers may not work for a lot patients,  Did your dr do tumor markers or anything else to monitor you b4 Cat Scan?  Did you check your vitamin D, Cholestrol HDL & LDL, B12 level?  There are studies saying its correlation.  You will find lots of research reports if you google it.

I will make will that I have enough nutrition and immue system to fight the recurrence.  It is very imprtant. 

Sorry to hear your disturbing news.  My Father has secondry liver cancer which came from the bowel and is now in the stomach.  When we first got his diagnosis I did so much research.  I also read an interesting article about a lady who had had bowel cancer, had the operation then was treated with pioneering treatment for the liver tumors, it microwaves the tumor away, there are lots of restrictions though. Think depending on how many masses there are in the liver.  Unfortunately my Father was not eligible but the Surgeon still took the time to  look over my Fathers scan to see if anything was possible.  I know I have left no stone un turned in an attempt to cure my wonderful Father.

This specialist is in England , not sure if I can mention his name.  I know you are probably in America but I am sure a specialist in America is using this specialist treatment.  Its worth taking a look.  Just search for "my tumor was microwaved"( think it was in the Dail Mail Newspaper , I know it sounds weird but it has been successful. The lady was about 68 and has had secondry liver cancer too.

 

 

Good luck and don't give up.

My prayers are with you 

 Gail (England)

Is your father still on chemo.  The big concern I have with my wife who had Stage IV stomach cancer and has been on chemo since April of 07 is the possibility that some recommendations may be to never stop the chemo but simply lower the toxicity of the treatments in order to prevent reoccurance.  This seems like a harsh way to live (on chemo forever); has anyone else had an oncologist suggest this continued treatment.  She is currently in remission and has been since August of 07.

            my wife had her complete stomach removed in sept.2007 and has been unable to take anything by mouth ever since.she is fed through a tube that goes through her belly.

                    her oncologist says she also should have chemo as long as she can stand it.he says this type of cancer does not resond well to chemo.

                    ron

On 1/19/2008 momwithkids wrote:

Is your father still on chemo.  The big concern I have with my wife who had Stage IV stomach cancer and has been on chemo since April of 07 is the possibility that some recommendations may be to never stop the chemo but simply lower the toxicity of the treatments in order to prevent reoccurance.  This seems like a harsh way to live (on chemo forever); has anyone else had an oncologist suggest this continued treatment.  She is currently in remission and has been since August of 07.