CancerCompass message board discussion started by Lacey71 on 3/25/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22336,0.htm Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer in the liver that is metastic SCLC lung cancer.  Chemo helped his lung tumor, but it now appears to be in his liver.  On the CT scan today, I saw spots in the liver.  He will have Topotecan treatment if he can tolerate it.  He is weak at this point after 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Can anyone give me an idea of the prognosis of this type of cancer in the liver.  I don't really know what to expect.  The dr is not forthcoming so far. Thanks Lacey71 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/25/2008 Lacey71 wrote:My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer in the liver that is metastic SCLC lung cancer.  Chemo helped his lung tumor, but it now appears to be in his liver.  On the CT scan today, I saw spots in the liver.  He will have Topotecan treatment if he can tolerate it.  He is weak at this point after 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Can anyone give me an idea of the prognosis of this type of cancer in the liver.  I don't really know what to expect.  The dr is not forthcoming so far. ThanksLacey, I am so sorry to hear of your husbands diagnosis, but your Doctor HAS to be forthcoming. You have to know what you are up against. How are you and your husband supposed to make educated decisions if you dont know what is going on. That is ridiculous. The days of doctors being Gods is long gone, you do not have to put up with that. If you have a housekeeper than is not doing a good job, what do you do? Fire them and find someone that will do the job right. We are not talking about your home here, we are talking about your husbands life. You should not be scouring the internet for answers, he should be giving them to you.  That is unacceptable hon, I don't know who he thinks he is but you and your husband are his boss,it is  NOT the other way around. Ask around for some referrals, or better yet call your insurance company and tell them the situation and have them refer you to someone else, and the run don't walk to the new doctor. I am serious. This is way to important to let slide. I have worked in hospitals for years and that is inadequate medical care. Marta GerritySan Diego, CA  dejavu Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT If the mets are small they could  perhaps be removed surgically. A friend had this procedure and although once they surgeons were ioperating they discovered more than they had expected and it was worse than they thought they went for it, removed 70% and it has actually improved his  overall prognosis. The liver  that is left  following such an operation does regenerate providing the liver prior to the mets was relatively healthy. Ask questions and be pro-active. Good Luck to you both. Sandi g Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT sorry to hear your new ,but have you tooked a german new medicine ,it seems to good to be true :i dont want to be one of those peole that say go her go there ;but it may be worth a call to this clinc :hope this has helped Zaina Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Lacy,Please get your husband to another Dr. and make sure they explain EVERYTHING to you so you both understand what you are up against.  We lost my father last Match 31st, to lung cancer that spread to the liver, he had 2 cancers in the one tumor, the Dr. never saw this before.  Please, please go get another Dr's opinion and make sure you both understand everything.My thoughts & prayers are with you and your husband.Amy J Wisconsin  Amy j Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/28/2008 Amy j wrote:Hi Lacy,Please get your husband to another Dr. and make sure they explain EVERYTHING to you so you both understand what you are up against.  We lost my father last Match 31st, to lung cancer that spread to the liver, he had 2 cancers in the one tumor, the Dr. never saw this before.  Please, please go get another Dr's opinion and make sure you both understand everything.My thoughts & prayers are with you and your husband.Amy J Wisconsin Oh, Thank you so much.  You have the knowledge and experience that I do not.  I appreciate your message so much.Lacey Lacey71 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/25/2008 Lacey71 wrote:My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer in the liver that is metastic SCLC lung cancer.  Chemo helped his lung tumor, but it now appears to be in his liver.  On the CT scan today, I saw spots in the liver.  He will have Topotecan treatment if he can tolerate it.  He is weak at this point after 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Can anyone give me an idea of the prognosis of this type of cancer in the liver.  I don't really know what to expect.  The dr is not forthcoming so far. ThanksHi, I was actually diagnosed the other way around.  I had liver cancer and it metastasized to my lungs through a spot on my lymph node.  I've had both liver and lung surgery.  I'd say the lung surgery was worse than the liver, but these are options.  A positive note on the situation is that the liver can regenerate if sugery has to be done.  Typically surgery is only performed if they're fairly certain they can get most of it out, otherwise they don't want to put the patient through it.  I also underwent several chemos, none of which had any really positive effect on the cancer, at least without ending me up in the hospital - that's a long story in itself.  I ended up changing my diet to exclude the foods that were killing my immune system while taking supplements to increase its effectiveness.  Apparently, I'm one of the only documented survival cases to have survived this type of cancer.  Within a year of getting off the chemo, having already transitioned to my new restrictive diet and by the grace of God, all of my tumors shrank and I've been declared in remission.  I'm not sure if I've answered any questions you might have.  But please feel free to ask me if you have any.  I'll keep your family in my prayers. Luvinlife Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/11/2008 Luvinlife wrote: On 3/25/2008 Lacey71 wrote:My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer in the liver that is metastic SCLC lung cancer.  Chemo helped his lung tumor, but it now appears to be in his liver.  On the CT scan today, I saw spots in the liver.  He will have Topotecan treatment if he can tolerate it.  He is weak at this point after 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Can anyone give me an idea of the prognosis of this type of cancer in the liver.  I don't really know what to expect.  The dr is not forthcoming so far. ThanksHi, I was actually diagnosed the other way around.  I had liver cancer and it metastasized to my lungs through a spot on my lymph node.  I've had both liver and lung surgery.  I'd say the lung surgery was worse than the liver, but these are options.  A positive note on the situation is that the liver can regenerate if sugery has to be done.  Typically surgery is only performed if they're fairly certain they can get most of it out, otherwise they don't want to put the patient through it.  I also underwent several chemos, none of which had any really positive effect on the cancer, at least without ending me up in the hospital - that's a long story in itself.  I ended up changing my diet to exclude the foods that were killing my immune system while taking supplements to increase its effectiveness.  Apparently, I'm one of the only documented survival cases to have survived this type of cancer.  Within a year of getting off the chemo, having already transitioned to my new restrictive diet and by the grace of God, all of my tumors shrank and I've been declared in remission.  I'm not sure if I've answered any questions you might have.  But please feel free to ask me if you have any.  I'll keep your family in my prayers.Hi, Thank you so much for answering my message.  I am so happy to hear that you survived this ordeal.  I wish I knew more what was going on right now.  Hospice started coming this week.  They are wonderful - but...  My husband is so sensitive to medications including chemo and now even a small bit of narcotic.  I've had nurses here several times in the last 24 hours.  I am so tired myself that I'm punchy.  Neither of us had much rest last night.  I'm just trying to take care of him and not do anything to make matters worse at this moment.  I prayed for strength last night.  I feel a bit better this morning, but I'm going to have another cup of strong coffee. Thanks  Lacey71 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/12/2008 Lacey71 wrote: On 4/11/2008 Luvinlife wrote: On 3/25/2008 Lacey71 wrote:My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer in the liver that is metastic SCLC lung cancer.  Chemo helped his lung tumor, but it now appears to be in his liver.  On the CT scan today, I saw spots in the liver.  He will have Topotecan treatment if he can tolerate it.  He is weak at this point after 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Can anyone give me an idea of the prognosis of this type of cancer in the liver.  I don't really know what to expect.  The dr is not forthcoming so far. ThanksHi, I was actually diagnosed the other way around.  I had liver cancer and it metastasized to my lungs through a spot on my lymph node.  I've had both liver and lung surgery.  I'd say the lung surgery was worse than the liver, but these are options.  A positive note on the situation is that the liver can regenerate if sugery has to be done.  Typically surgery is only performed if they're fairly certain they can get most of it out, otherwise they don't want to put the patient through it.  I also underwent several chemos, none of which had any really positive effect on the cancer, at least without ending me up in the hospital - that's a long story in itself.  I ended up changing my diet to exclude the foods that were killing my immune system while taking supplements to increase its effectiveness.  Apparently, I'm one of the only documented survival cases to have survived this type of cancer.  Within a year of getting off the chemo, having already transitioned to my new restrictive diet and by the grace of God, all of my tumors shrank and I've been declared in remission.  I'm not sure if I've answered any questions you might have.  But please feel free to ask me if you have any.  I'll keep your family in my prayers.Hi, Thank you so much for answering my message.  I am so happy to hear that you survived this ordeal.  I wish I knew more what was going on right now.  Hospice started coming this week.  They are wonderful - but...  My husband is so sensitive to medications including chemo and now even a small bit of narcotic.  I've had nurses here several times in the last 24 hours.  I am so tired myself that I'm punchy.  Neither of us had much rest last night.  I'm just trying to take care of him and not do anything to make matters worse at this moment.  I prayed for strength last night.  I feel a bit better this morning, but I'm going to have another cup of strong coffee. Thanks  Hello, just been reading the replies to this post and am really interested in the diet mentioned in the second to last post.  Can you give me more information on this?  My mum was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer (secondary breast cancer) in Dec 06.  She has been on hormone tablets since then but they are no longer being effective and is about to start chemo next week.  I definately think she needs to re-think her diet so any info you could pass on would be greatly appreciated.  Great to hear you are doing so well.  My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by this terrible illness. Rubymurray Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT