CancerCompass message board discussion started by Mummabear7 on 8/9/2006 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,6374,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Thbis is my first visit and post here. My mother in law (great Gal) 54 yrs old, never drank or smoked was diagnosed today with liver cancer. I don't know what stage or anything like that. All I know is that she told me the DR at MUO (Toledo) told her next wed they will check to see if it's in the blood, if so they will do nothing. Maybe she was just too emotional and didn't hear everything, but she is accepting that as a final word. Does that sound insane to anyone else or is it just me? I'm looking for more options for her. Thanks Mummabear7 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for over eighty percent of primary liver cancers. It affects men twice as often as women and usually presents after age fifty. Exact causes for hepatocellular carcinoma are unknown, but chronic hepatitis infections and cirrhosis are known factors. Cirrhosis has been linked to eighty percent of all hepatocellular carcinoma cases. Primary liver cancers occur if the cells originate in the liver. This is a relatively rare occurrence. More often, cancerous cells from other body parts invade through metastasis, resulting in metastatic liver cancer. For many people, medical treatment for liver cancer is aimed at extending life, controlling symptoms and possibly shrinking the tumor enough to risk surgery. The majority of cases, however, are incurable. The prognosis depends on how early the tumor is detected. If the tumor is small, surgical removal may be an option. Risks associated with surgery include infection and blood loss resulting in anemia. Only ten to twenty percent of all hepatocellular carcinoma surgeries succeed in removing cancerous tissue entirely. If the surgery is not successful, the disease is often fatal within three to six months. Liver metastases are equally difficult to treat. Oncrx Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Too many physicians are neglecting to inform their patients about radiofrequency ablation as an option for liver cancer. Radiofrequency ablation is an effective, easy, non-invasive procedure that basically turns liver tumors into scar tissue. I've had it done, and it's amazing. I've been at two of the biggest cancer centers in the world, and they said it would never work, and they were wrong. I'd suggest you go to a place called Sapheneia in Jackson Mississippi, where they have a state of the art facility dedicated to just ablation. Prorfa Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT I don't think they should EVER give up! I'd get a second opinion and I'd do it at the Cleveland Clinic... the've kept me alive and kicking after two rounds with breast cancer. Hugs and prayers, Deb Debra J. Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT When people learn they have a serious illness, they often do not hear many of the messages or explanations that follow. If a relative or friend can go with your mother-in-law to EACH consultation, with doctor or nurse, and to treatment, she or he can take notes of the remarks and ask questions about what was said, or about what the patient can or cannot do or eat. The advocate can also keep track of the appointment schedule and for which treatment. I wish her and her family well. Bppelton Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT My father was diagnosed with colon cancer with liver mets...we went to a doc in toledo...talk about the most negative and worst diagnosis ever. this surgeon gave him 3 months. she was an absolute idiot. we all still have nightmares about that woman and her HORRIBLE bedside manner. Luckily we got the hell out of there. we began seeing oncologist dr ahmed ghany at OSU east...he is fabulous. had dad on chemo that in 6 months had shrunk and rid his body of so much that he was able to send us to the university of pittsburgh medical center (UPMC) and dr. david geller who after a comprehensive surgery has my dad free of growing cancer...his "3 months" is inthe toilet...it has been 19 months since diagnosis. he tolerated everything very well. in fact, he worked every day except the days (fridays) he drove to columbus from ottoville to get chemo. he continues to work everyday, golf a couple times of week and farms 500 acres on the side. This man that the toledo doctor gave no hope to has welcomed his 5th grandchild and is looking forward to his 6th shortly. he is living without pain and is thoroughly enjoying everyday. we just celebrated one year since surgery. it is great when you find competent and optimistic docs. please get another opinion....you're in my prayers....tell dr. ghany mike l and his daughter michelle sent you! Weadocm Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT sorry, i just really want you to leave toledo for another opinion. we always took 3 people total..my dad the patient, his wife and me (the notetaker) through tears of pain or joy, i squeaked out onto paper every word so that we could review and make sure we all heard the same thing. the patient never hears it all, never comprehends it all and unfortunately focuses on the bad....please continue to support her...but talk to someone else. dr. ghany has helped many from this board - call him direct....push to get in soon...we waited and were doublebooked, but they need to know you'll do whatever it takes to get her seen by the best....you need to be a very strong advocate for her treatment. DO NOT accept a bad report...keep looking. it took us going to duke university after toledo to get seen back here at osu with the right doc. dr. david geller is also amazing and will email you....just please please please leave mco and toledo...they are NOT on the cutting edge and you need every advantage when you battle this beast. i'd love to talk to you, but they frown on exchanging personal info on here. my name is michelle weadock and i'm in the book in hilliard ohio...please call if you can and we'll talk more...as someone originally from nw ohio...small towns are great to grow up in but not so great when seeking life altering advice and treatment! Weadocm Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT My mother's cousin had liver cancer and went through some treatment called "embolization" which is supposedly very popular in Japan. You might want to ask your doctor if that's an option. Take care, and my best to your mom-in-law. Want2bstrong Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Do you know if RFA is also a treatment for lung cancer? Would be interested to hear-- and the best place to check about this. Thanks! Linda58 Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Have a second opinion at University of Michigan Hospital. Last February I was diagnosed with a tumor in my liver - but my original diagnosis was colon cancer - it traveled to my liver. A. Dr. Knol operated on me and removed the tumor and I had chemo through a liver pump. I don't know how bad her cancer is, but it would be well worth it to get a second opinion and I highly recomment University of Michigan. Gingerb Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Yes, I've known people to have successful procedures using RFA for tumors in the lungs. But it is not considered standard protocol yet, so very few folks recommend it, or even know about it. You need to find a facility that specializes in it. I've had 8 tumors ablated in my lungs and it has literally saved my life. If you're interested you are welcome to call me....601-927-3869 and I can tell you all about it. Since being a patient, I have joined the staff of a multi-million dollar cancer center being built in Mississippi that specializes in RFA, and my job is to talk to patients. Is strongly urge you to look into it FAST (before the tumors get any bigger!)....go to www.sapheneia.org or call me. Prorfa Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Hi there, My name is Sarah. This is crazy, our story is identical, my mother in law just found out she has liver cancer. She is 53, never drank. She had breast cancer last year and just found out it spread to her liver. I feel so sorry for her and my husband. I just found this website. I have been doing some research on line --- the prognosis doesn't look good from the info I have found on line. It is a compleatly different story than what she has told us. Maybe she is in denial or just doesn't want to scare her kids (19 - 30) either way its sucks. We all knew the cancewr could come back -- but no one expected it to happen so soon. It doesn't sound insane -- she just needs some time to let everything sink in. She is probobly so overwhelmed right now. When the smoke clears she might want a second poinion. I think my mother in law is going to go to Columbia in NYC -- they have a great cancer program there. Sarah lg Tue, 19 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT