Liver Cancer

My dad  was dignosed with liver cancer. Carnoma I am not sure how to spell it. He cannot get a transplant and the only thing that is available to him is chemo and some pill that only gives him about 3 additional months of life. I am depressed and we don't know of any other options???

Hi

sorry to hear your news. My Dad has also been diagnosed with promary liver cancer. We have been told he cannot get surgery, chemo or radio. He has just started sorafenib nexavar (5 days). It sounds like the drug you are referring to (3 months extra). I read all about the clinical trial and did think what is the point as some of the side effects are also very grim. As recently as yesterday I did wonder why was he bothering to take it and like you felt hopeless that gaininga pitiful three months was our only option. Today I found a posting from someoone on this site who was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago and has been taking nexavar and is doing well.

I am totally shell shocked and am considering all options but for now this seems our best shot. I know it doesn't seem like long but the clinical trials were very limited and I am sure we do not fully undertsand the power of this drug. What are our options?

I don't really understand why this is the only treatment available to Dad. We are seeing his oncologist tomorrow and I hope to understand more.

Good luck and keep strong

Julie

Hi Julie

I am glad to hear from you. I feel that we are not alone in this awful struggle. Well the doctor said that a transplant are not a option and that the pill and some injection of chemo strait into the liver is the only option. I am frustrated and saddened because just two weeks ago some other doctors at another hospital told us that oh he just has a "little" spot of cancer and that it can be burned off. Then we go to another "liver" specialist at another hospital and they tell us something different. My dad mentally, emotionally is depressed and we are trying our best to lift up his spirits. We are definitely looking into second opinions. We have to have hope for our dads. Let me know how things are going for your dad. Keep in touch.... and good luck! Jennifer

 

On 6/8/2009 Jennifer1979 wrote:

Hi Julie

I am glad to hear from you. I feel that we are not alone in this awful struggle. Well the doctor said that a transplant are not a option and that the pill and some injection of chemo strait into the liver is the only option. I am frustrated and saddened because just two weeks ago some other doctors at another hospital told us that oh he just has a "little" spot of cancer and that it can be burned off. Then we go to another "liver" specialist at another hospital and they tell us something different. My dad mentally, emotionally is depressed and we are trying our best to lift up his spirits. We are definitely looking into second opinions. We have to have hope for our dads. Let me know how things are going for your dad. Keep in touch.... and good luck! Jennifer

My husband was diagnosed with HCC 12/31/08.   The world turned upside down but we are coping now.   He has been on Nexavar for 4 months and handling side effects great.   some major ones to watch for are high blood pressure, hand/foot symdrome, and loose bowels.   His blood pressure is perfect with help of medication.  He started using "udderly smooth" cream before he began treatment to combat hand/foot symdrom.  This can be purchased at Walmart.  the loose bowels are acting up now but in control.  I know 3 extra months is not a life time but better than nothing.   This is a scary disease that several years ago there was nothing to treat it.   Here we are with this wonderful drug to give us more precious time with our loved ones.  The only advise I can give is don't dwell on the negativity only focus on his progress and reaction.   Each person is different.   I was in such a state of confusion I tried to learn as much as possible and got overwhelmed by the negative stories.   I now try and focus on his reactions and what his doctor says.   Everyone means well to give their advise but listen to your loved one.   As we embark on this journey enjoy the little things and have some laughs.  I know it is hard sometimes but it is necessary to live life as normal as possible.   If you wold like to chat privately please respond accordingly.  Have faith!

I am sorry to hear about your husband. Life can be really rough sometimes. Well I am glad that you are coping and keeping strong. Have you looked for second opinions?? we are in that process of doing so. When something like this happens your world does turn upside down. But two things that keep me going are my faith in God and my family. We pray every night for my dad. I will keep your husband in my prayers. Be strong and I hope to hear from you soon.

My dad had live cancer.  He had the tumor removed in his Portal vein in Feb2007.  He was doing wonderful until Oct 2007.  Spots appeared again in the liver.  He was put on the Nexavar.  He was doing wonderful. The side effects were tough the first four weeks but with lotion for his hands and feet , and monitoring his blood pressure ,he was back to his old self.  He was enjoying life and happy. Jan 2008 his doctor asked him if he wanted to try (SIRT) Selective internal radiation and got off the nexavar.  He became jauntice within two weeks of the radiation and then went into liver failure two months later.  He became extremely sick and depressed,  He passed exactly three months(of the radiation)  fro m liver failure.  The radiation damaged the liver.  Stick with the Nexavar. It does have it's side effects but their quality of life improves.  It also prevents the cancer from spreading.  I know how tough this is  and I still miss him horrible but I wish I would have convinced him t ojust stick with the nexavar.  My prayers are with you all. God Bless you!!!

 

On 6/18/2009 lolomike wrote:

My dad had live cancer.  He had the tumor removed in his Portal vein in Feb2007.  He was doing wonderful until Oct 2007.  Spots appeared again in the liver.  He was put on the Nexavar.  He was doing wonderful. The side effects were tough the first four weeks but with lotion for his hands and feet , and monitoring his blood pressure ,he was back to his old self.  He was enjoying life and happy. Jan 2008 his doctor asked him if he wanted to try (SIRT) Selective internal radiation and got off the nexavar.  He became jauntice within two weeks of the radiation and then went into liver failure two months later.  He became extremely sick and depressed,  He passed exactly three months(of the radiation)  fro m liver failure.  The radiation damaged the liver.  Stick with the Nexavar. It does have it's side effects but their quality of life improves.  It also prevents the cancer from spreading.  I know how tough this is  and I still miss him horrible but I wish I would have convinced him t ojust stick with the nexavar.  My prayers are with you all. God Bless you!!!

 

My husband had thersphere y-90  6 weeks ago now is in liver failure now with all new tumors, he only had one in the beginning with primary liver cancer.................. I think its a bad choice! He was fine before it!

im so scared!

That is exactly what happened to my Dad.  The doctors all promised us the treatment would give him so much more quality of life and quantity. You and your husband all my prayers.  Hang in there. 

dr.howard bruckner in nyc is a specialist in liver ca.