Treatment Suggestions For Liver Cancer

Hi guys,

I am 30 years old and have recurrent primary liver cancer with lung mets. Below is my medical history. I don't seem to be repsonding to my latest clinical trial chemo treatment. Anyone with any treatment suggestions (chemo / clinical trials / alternative) please advise.

BTW, I am in Malaysia (small southeast asian country) so hope you don't suggest doctors/hospitals but rather the treatment itself, thanks!

My cancer history:
- hepatitis B carrier from childhood
- single HCC tumor found in liver's left lobe in May 2004
- underwent resection at Stanford Hospital in June 2004
- recurrence detected in May 2005 - another tumor in liver AND several more in lungs
- underwent Avastin + Xeloda clinical trial in Singapore
- After cycle 2, CT shows tumor stopped growing although AFP is still climbing
- After cycle 4, CT shows tumors grown by 10% - but still considered as stable disease
- Still on the trial but not optimistic that I will respond, hence looking for other types of treatment



PS. Has ANYONE ever survive advanced liver cancer with chemo for more than 5 years???

Regards,
CH.

1999 left lobe of liver removed at Mayo Clinic
2000 spot on right lobe appeared
2001 small nodules in both lungs appeared (METS)
Decided to monitor by way of CT Scan
2005 Both nodules and tumor on liver increased
2005 Chemo times 8 cycles reduced all by 50%. Gemcitibine and Cisplatin combination was used.
2006 will return for CT Scan end of Feb, 06.
I'm going on 6 years now.
Statistically no known cure just slow down management at this time. I've tried all the soups ,teas, etc. waste of money in my opinion.
stay active; one thing I've learn is this cancer does not like oxygen excess and slows growth.
Jeff G.

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for the encouraging reply. I remember asking my oncologist if she knew anyone who survived more than 5 years with HCC + mets and she just looked down and say no. So knowing that someone made it is comforting.

I have a few more questions which I hope you could help me with:

1. You discovered the lung mets in 2001 but only started chemo in 2005. What treatment did you take between those years? Curious because without treament, my tumors seem to double in size in 3 months.

2. Was gemcitibine and cisplatin the only chemo you were on? Or is it the only one that worked for you? How were the side effects?

3. Excess oxygen, huh? So what sort of activities do you do and how often?


Thank you for your post and best of luck in your next scan. 8)

1. None except 1 10mg of clonzapam at bedtime and 1 20m0g of paxil in the morning. Daily, very hot baths, and I ate lots of oatmeal and Bran flakes smothered with blueberries and bananas.
2. Gemcitabine and Cisplatin only treatment
3. Walking and walking and walking
I will have a good discussion with my Oncologist next visit about Oxygen treatments and see what happens. I also during the years have done mind picturing from my scans and self talked the cancer tumors to stop growing. I know sounds crazy but My Dad always told me "IT's Mind over Matter". ?
Jeff

We finally stopped asking and told doctors we didn't want them talking about 'time' limits...so often they are self fulfilling. those 2% chances etc...someone has to be them. if we'd have listened to our first doctor (for about 1 hour she held that title) we'd have buried my dad a long time ago....your positive attitude may not make medical journals as the latest drug of choice for oncologists, but i'll take it anyday...you CAN do it....you're heading in the right direction...you'll make it and then tell them what chance you had. Peace be with you and take care!

I am 40 and have had metatastic liver cancer since 2002. I actually had a large malignant tumor in my pancreas which had spread to my liver, and the tumor itself had probably been there for years. I have had various treatments for recurring liver tumors including resection, RFA and embolization. My tumors began growing and spreading in spring 2004. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, introduced me to a product called Ambrotose. It's a glyconutrient (there's all kinds of info on the web.) and it promotes healthy cell communication. I started taking it in the fall of 2004 and my liver tumors stopped growing. It can be purchased from a company called Mannatech. I've done a lot of research on cancer and nutrition, and it seems the best way to fight it is through diet and good health. Cancer doesn't like sugar, either, so I cut that out. Ambrotose is like eating tons of vine-ripened fruits and vegetables. It's not an herb or anything like that. It's just a food product. Most of the food we get today is not vine-ripened and we don't get the nutrients that we should. Cells turn cancerous when they don't have the proper nutrients and can't communicate with healthy cells. Ambrotose gives our body what it needs for the cells to stay healthy. I personally know 1 other person with lung cancer and 1 with MS who have been taking this for 1-2 years. The 1 with lung cancer is now cancer free and the 1 with MS has been continually getting the use of her hands and legs back. I have my whole family on it and I wouldn't suggest it unless I really felt it worked. I've sent other people on this site information on this on the liver, pancreas and alternative treatments message boards. You might want to look for them and think about checking out this product. It can't hurt to try it. It also gives you more energy and I've heard that it lessens the side-effects from drugs and chemo.

Thanks a lot for all the replies, esp Jeff. My oncologist is recommending a combo of Adriamycin, Oxaplatin or Gemcitabine.

I personally, do not like my chances with chemo, seeing how the response rates are less than 20%. So I'm seriously considering RFA again. However, one oncologist I've consulted is dead against the idea for a few reasons. Mainly, she feels it won't help me at all.

Wonder if anyone out there has any opinions on this?

Hi Seage, Of the 4 Oncologist I have talked with were all against RFA treatment as well. If anything stirs things up I was told.
Glad to hear your trying new Chemo treatment.
Be sure they prescribe antacid to take daily 30 minutes prior to breakfast and anti nausea medication every 6 hours as needed. But I took every 6 hours during the day as if you wait until needed (PRN) you will get sick. lost very little hair. Only persistent side affect at present is numbness in toes and fingers with some shooting pains. It,s tolerable pretty much during the day I usually take a Tyenol#3 at bedtime. My Ct Scan showed no change/stable since November in both lungs and liver. Go back for another scan in a couple of months. Mean while I need to fined some employment. Good luck with the new regimen. Jeff

Hello Jeff,

I am seriously considering RFA for my situation. Hence was wondering why your oncologist was against the idea and what you mean by "If anything stirs things up I was told".

Meanwhile, thanks so much for your tips on coping with chemo.

-seage

Hi Seage, The reasons I was given is that RFA stimulates growth of cells both good and bad. That it doesn't specifically target malignant tumors and that if anything it would more likely cause spreading of tumor cell after inital treatment. One Oncologist just shook his head in discuss and commented that there should be a law to hang those quacks. But Remember it is your life and different treatments respond differently on different people and cancer types. so if your inclined to try it and nothing else has been effective, well good things happen when we least expect it. If things change with me I would certainly look at it as an option personally as Oncologist surely have different opinions and preferences on ways to provide treatment. stay positive and keep on pushing on! Jeff