CancerCompass message board discussion started by Gatornee on 3/4/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10093,0.htm Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ This is my first post and I am hoping to learn some things about liver cancer from those of you who have experienced it yourself or through a loved one. My dad has a rare type of Liver Cancer. In December, he was diagnosed as having a pituitary tumor located in the cavity in his brain containing his pituitary gland. He was scheduled for surgery in January. We were very glad to know it was a pituitary tumor, because they are rarely malignant. He had the procedure done, and some complications due to blood loss. The neurosurgeon was surprised how vascular the tumor was and told us he wasn't sure he got it all because my dad had already lost 2 liters of blood. However, he acted like it was no big deal, because he felt like since he got most of the tumor, the symptoms my dad was having would go away and we could just monitor this pituitary tumor. To make a long story short, the pathology report came back that the tissue was actually malignant liver tissue in his head. Very very rare. Only documented case in the US and only 1 or 5 in the world. He has an US done of his abd. to find an enlarged liver. After all these tests, we find out he has cancer on his liver, in his hip bone, on his lung, and of course in his head. My question is, how long does my dad have? He was willing to get radiation when he thought is was just in his head or just on his liver, but now that it has spread his options are limited. He doesn't want to have traditional chemo because of watching his mother and father both go through it only to die of cancer. I am so scared. I love my father very much and want him to be around for as long as possible, but at the same time I don't want him to suffer. What are your experiences with life after diagnosis? His oncologist has already said he is not God and therefore can't predict how long my dad has. I plan on going to visit him in April so he can spend time with my 8 month old son and me, but I wish I could be there with him everyda and enjoy him for as long as I can. IF anyone could share their story or experience. We find out more definitve answers today about a recent bone scan, another MRI of his head, and what to do next. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear back from someone. Thanks, Renee Gatornee Sun, 04 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Renee:I won't go through my own trial and tribulations with liver cancer, I will simply say to make sure he is being treated by liver cancer specialists. Most local hospitals and Doctors really don't have a clue when it comes to treating liver cancer. Please get him to a facility that is accustomed to dealing with this. You may find that there may be some help for him. Do not give up!John: points00 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT