Cirrhois, Hep C

[tmnurse]

My sister has severe cirrahois of the liver, Hep C, Enlarged spleen, Low Platelets >30,000 and now a large mass on ovary that we are waiting for results for cancer.
Can the spleen be removed to help build the platelets in order to treat the ovarian mass for removal?  Can any removal be done at all?  Would treatment even be available for cancer with these current conditions?


This discussion is related to enlarged spleen, low platelet count.

[HectorSF]

I am sorry to hear about the unknown mass that your sister has. I hope it is only an ovarian cyst which are common. Remember, most ovarian growths are benign.

You say your sister has 'servere' cirrhosis. Do you mean End-Stage Liver Disease? Meaning she has fluid buildup in her abdomen and low legs. Enlarged blood vessels in her esophagus that may have caused her to vomit bleed. Has memory, foggy thinking and strange behaviors.

First, let's hope the mass is benign and she doesn't have cancer.

Secondly, all operations in cirrhotic patients have added risk. Anesthesia can be very harmful to the liver so extra care must be taken before any procedure using it. All transplant centers know how to handle this. (I am assuming your sister is under treatment at a transplant center for her cirrhosis?) Normally operations should be avoided if possible. Obviously if it is cancer, than something must be done to treat it. I am not familiar with treatment protocols for ovarian cancer so I don't know what may be possible.

Lastly, a low platelet count may not be an issue as she would be given a platelet transfusion if she needs platelets.

**** Remember all treatments, drugs, procedures need to be run by the transplant center before doing anything. ****

Let's all hope the mass is benign.
Let us know what happens.

Good luck to you and your sister!

Hector

[orphanedhawk]

An enlarged spleen happens during advanced cirrhosis therefore lowering platelet counts.
I know of no transplant center that will perform a transplant on anyone with active cancer.( sorry if my terminology is wrong, I know little about cancer)

This really is a question for your sister's doctor.

Good luck.