Sizes of tumours

Hi,

Sorry to ask a personal question - but what sort of sizes are your tumours on here?

My dad has Oesophageal Cancer which has now spread to his liver - I just wanted to ask what is considered a 'large' tumour?

Thanks,

Pam

Hi Pam

Interesting question...allow me to be blunt.

Never be sorry about asking a question.

Every question is personal because cancer is very personal.

but to answer your question...Any tumor detected in the human body, especially in the liver is too damn large.

But to be more specific...if a CTscan sees it, it is large enough and it must be handled.

Take Care.

Leonard (Solutions) from Amao California

Margaret,

My dad's tumors were 2.5cm and the other was 4.0cm.  Both were removed about a little over a year ago...

Hello hvuong,

As you know your dad's tumors were 1" and 1 1/2" in dia.

I am surprised a CTscan was able to detect them.

Happy to hear they were removed.

The best way to handle tumors are to remove them.

Hope all is going well with your dad.

Leonard from Alamo California

Hello Leonard,

I believe part of the reason why it was more eaily detected or suspected was due to his initial hospitalization, and the fact that he has hepatitis-B.  His oncologist suspected something else since he was not a drinker, but had issues with his liver.  Long story short, we had a very good surgeon work on my dad. Dr. Busuttil from UCLA was a Godsend... very, very good... and was able to perform a perfect resection of my dad's liver.

The cancer was removed and there were no signs of activity within the margin or surrounding lymph nodes. 

Hello hyuong,

One thing I would strongly suggest.

Make the Oncologist do a CT/PETscan every 90 to 120 days for a one yesr period.

Then make sure a CT/PETscan is done every 6 to 8 months for at least two years.

And for the three years make sure the Oncologist does a CT/PETscan every year without fail.

The purpose of all these scans is to detect this damn cancer before it srpeads.

And in most cases it will spread.

Chemo will be the proceedure to control the growth of the tumor. Surgery is very difficult when it start to spread.

I sincerely wish your dad all the best.

And yes it sounds like he had a great surgeon...same as my wife at UCSF San Francisco...her doctor was Doctor Hirose an very excellent liver transplant surgeon.

Well I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.

Leonard from Alamo, California

Leonard,

Thank you and well wishes to you and your family as well. My dad comes in regularly for CT scans, MRIs, and all the acronyms one can think of.  These tests occur every 3 months, and will continue for about 3 years after which, if there is no reason for concern, he will be given a clean bill of health.

But yes, I agree with you... regular check-ups need to be performed in order to keep the "intruder" at hand.

God bless all those who have to endure cancer, the treatments, and those with family members involved.

Hi Pam,, I actually got several tumors on the liver, one is a size of a grapefruit and then one like a lg orange and several others :(   what a battle,   hope all goes well with your dad,  its like one day at a time ..  take care  will keep looking for updates,    vicki

Hello Vicki,

Your message comes across very calm and collective.

It appears you are asking for any information regarding your situation.

You must be getting great medical care.

The sizes you mentioned would have many of us concerned.

If I may ask...Just what is being done about your stuation?

It appears you are just living with it and nothing is planned to correct this issue.

If so, Good luck and best wishes.

Leonard from Alamo California

Hi Leonard,

well i am going back and forth every 3mths to have a scan done to see how much or if any at all the tumors are growing. i do take the sandastatin shot every 28days. as of now we arent doing anything, i do feel like i got a great dr.though for he's real knowagable about the carcinoid. i have heard people say they're doing nothing??? which makes me wonder but not sure what all they can do for my liver is pretty scattered with the tumors :(  its a scarey deal..i just like to read up on hear all the others that is going through the same thing and whats been done.  hope to hear from you again  take care  vicki