Acites

My partner recently underwent his first chemoembolisation treatment and has been experienceing soem problems with gas in the stomach and fluid retention. He has been taking spironolactone. HAs anybody experienced similar problems and got diet recommendtions to allieviate this problem
Regards, Berni

My husband is scheduled for chemoembolization in a few weeks. He has primary liver cancer and cirrrhosis but no ascites or jaundice. His platelets are low (42,000 - 52,000).
He was diagnosed in April but has had no treatment because 2 well-respected oncologists recommend against it - they think chemoembolization in my husband's case can lead to liver failure.
But 2 other oncologists have said it's worth a try to prolong life and maybe, maybe even allow for a transplant (a long shot because there are about 5 tumors, sizes range from 3-6 cm each).
Chemoembolization is a difficult decision.
What experiences have you all had with chemoembolization? Did health go downhill? My husband has an excellent quality of life right now - it would be awful to lose that for nothing.
Has anyone survived in a relatively healthy way for 1 or 2 years after chemoembolization?
thanks for your help, MJane

Hi,

My father underwent a treatment of chemoemobilization at the beginning of July. He was a pretty good health up until that point. He was out shopping and doing errands and so on. After he underwent the treatment, his health deteriorated. He had ascites, his liver function went down and he became very weak. It's heartbreaking to see someone so vital be reduced to someone who can not exert a lot of energy. He still goes on walks, but it is not where he was before.

Recently, the doctor said that he only had 4-6 more months. He said that he would not be able to go through any more treatments since his liver was damaged so much the first time. My father has also developed about 7 more tumors on the other side of his liver. We are going to go to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I really hope that they will be able to do something. We are praying that they will be able to help.

This is not to say that it won't work for your husband since I also know other people who have undergone the treatment and have been back to work a week later. Years later, they are still alive. The only suggestion that I can give you is to get as many opinions and options that you can. I really regret not doing so with my father. I know that there are also patient advocacy groups that may be able to help you make informed decisions.

I hope this helps,

Eva

I'm new here and searching for information. My brother is currently going thru tests to find the severity of his liver damage and whether or not its cancer. I took him for an EDG last week, but the doctor decided to drain the fluid off of his abdomen first, as he said that was more important. They took 11 liters of fluid off of his stomach. They also told him that his AFP test was 11,960. Extremely elevated. I believe the normal range is 500 nanograms. He's really worried. And so are we. He's now on 80 mg of Lasix, Potassium, Adactone, and some kind of syrup. He is also HCV positive. We have a long road ahead of us, and possibly in a short time. He's only 47, and it breaks my heart that he probably won't survive this disease.