My Father

My father was diagnosed with a large (10cm)malignant liver tumor December 1st 2005. They did a biopsy and feel that the cancer started in the bile ducts. They can't remove it because it is conected to a large artery. The thing is that on a CT scan & a PET scan they do not see any cancer anywhere else. They also found a few other small lesions on the liver. The pathologist says that when looking at it under a microscope it appears to be bile duct/cholangiocarcinoma. My dad does not have jaudice or iching but has had a lot of pain and a slight fever. They think it's the tumor pressing against other organs. He is in good shape especially for 64 and has no problem getting up. We even took a long walk with him on Xmas eve. All of his blood tests were normal at first but only 4 weeks later his blood tests came back abnormal. Now his CA 19-9 is around 300 so they think it may be in the pancreas ducts which would rule him out completely for a liver transplant. The problem is they can't find cancer anywhere else!! It's very frustration all these assumptions. No staging has been set, and no idea how long he has left. He has radio frequency ablation set for Jan 11th and then will have radio isotopes injected afterwards. Since it's such a large tumor they need to shrink it.
I know this cancer is incurable but is there any hope? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If they did a biopsy and all those other tests, they should have a pretty good idea about whats going on. Be sure to press the docs for details. This disease is not cureable without surgery. The RFA is an option as is radiation and chemo. There is always hope. Dont focus on the time he has left but on the time you have together right now.

And don't take one doctor's opinion. Get out there and consult the experts. I don't know where your father is being treated, but I would definitely get a second opinion from MD Anderson, Mayo, or Sloan Kettering. What may be considered inoperable by one doctor may be considered operable by another doctor.

My best to your dad.

hi,

please see my message to your sister also on this message board - i strongly advise you to seek a further opinion - surgery is the best option for this type of cancer, as it so rare and chemotheraputic regimes are not developed enough.

My Dad was told that the tumor could not be removed and that his life was measured in months - we sought a second opinion, he had the tumor removed and is now getting back to full fitness. The op was v difficult and you need a specialist surgeon. My Dad's tumor was huge, attached to a major artery and stuck to a lung and bowel.

The surgeon was fantastic, we consulted sloan kettering yuman fong there told us that Prof Lodge is the best. (Prof Peter LODGE, St James Hospital LEEDS UK).

Don't give up hope - i wish you well in your fight.

jules

I can provide further contact details for Prof Lodge if you want - he will view your dad's films and give you an opinion.