So sorry to hear this. You're keeping ur wits about you. That makes me smile. Hector knows his stuff. It's great that ur going to Ucsf. They've got the best team put together. peaceful thots... Soothing vibes.... Ur liver is working hard for you buddy. Xo Karen :)
Definitely get second and third opinions, if necessary. My husband's first tumor was pretty similar in size to yours but did not have major vein involvement. His current situation now is similar to yours, he is past surgical options, but there is no "one right way" to treat un-resectable liver cancer, so it's important to get as many options as you can as soon as possible.
Your docs should have ordered a bone scan and other imaging to see if the cancer has spread into bone or lung, abdomen, or elsewhere, because getting that information will be important in you making decisions about the next steps. Wishing you best of luck and I hope you get good options from your other visits. Keep us posted. ~eureka
the last post was for you to from your questions im hepc 1a stage 4 lots of other complacations
the tumor is wrapped around the portal vein and the hepatic vein, it's about 8x10x12 cm ? 3 1/2 to 4 inches its probably bigger now that was 3 weeks ago,sf pacific hospital doc Edd walkeel ,
im not sher if it metastasized? the tests are in conclusive they wont to yous Y90 they say if it works its only temporary fix maybe a year and a half instead of 2 to 9 months 6 month's ago i was at zero cancer?? im getting a second opinion at ucsf stanford and lomalinda proton therapy
Ah, so sorry to hear about this...wishing you the very best.
Love from NY ❤❤
kat
So sorry to hear that you're facing these difficulties and dealing with this terrible diagnosis. I'm not sure if you mean the tumor is wrapped around the portal vein or the hepatic vein, but if either is the case, surgery would not be an option, but there are other therapies available.
My husband has been dealing with liver cancer for over 4 years. He has not done the Y-90 beads, but he's had a similar procedure done called TACE. The Y-90 treatment is one of several choices available to treat the tumor, but your doctors may be recommending that over other procedures depending on a number of factors (where the tumor is, the size and appearance, etc.).
Y-90 and TACE are usually the treatments of choice when there is blood vessel involvement and/or large tumors. My understanding is that freezing/burning/cryo have a higher potential for damaging non-cancerous tissue, so they are usually not recommended if the tumor is large. the basic idea to use the Y-90 beads to block the blood vessels that keep the tumor alive. Because the liver has two veins, even completely blocking one of them may block tumor growth but would still allow your non-cancer part of the liver to function.
My husband had his first TACE (which is similar to Y-90, but instead of glass beads & medicine, it was chemo and cutting off the blood vessels) over a year ago, and so far no distant organ metastasis. He is taking Nexavar now, an oral chemo to stop tumor growth, because he's done three TACE treatments, and docs don't want him to do anymore of them.
You might want to ask your doctor about the whether taking Nexavar (also called sorafenib) in addition to the Y-90 treatments might be of some benefit to you. Hope that helps some, and don't hesitate to ask if I can help with any info. Wishing you lots of luck. ~eureka
thanks for being there it makes a big difference in my life
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Wishing the best for you. God bless
Hi,
Sorry to hear of your troubles but glad to see you posting.
Are you enjoying our late warm weather?
Best of luck to you,
OH
So sorry to hear about your tumor. I watch your posts, and was just hoping it wouldn't be... Don't have any wisdom to share, but sending you warmth and best wishes from the East Coast.
Lapis
Sorry to hear of your news. Hector is amazing and hopefully the two of you can connect. Besides the folks on this site, please trust your faith and reach out to your friends, family and people of support.
That's some sobering news. Hector is a great source of information AND inspiration. Eureka may pop in too since her husband in also dealing with HCC. Have your doctors discussed any options with you? Best wishes as you move ahead with this. Hugs, Pam
hepman, you are so fortunate to have someone like Hector, to help guide you here, Love to you both
mary
Good God , I'm I I I'm so sorry hepman!!
I'm sorry , sorry , sorry!!!
Hector,Im thinking he goes to UCD ?
Hi! Good to hear from you again.
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. How are you dealing with the news. Are you okay? Do you have supportive people around you. Please feel free to send me a private message. I will help you in anyway I can even if it is just to listen.
FYI: I was diagnosed on June 1st of this year (1.4 cm) and about a 90 days ago it had grown to a 1.8 cm tumor. I am waiting for exception points for the cancer before having the cancer treatment.
Questions, questions, questions...(sorry)
Sorry if i forget...where are you being taken care of? Which Transplant Center? Stanford?
Who is your doctor?
Do they have a "tumor board" there?
What is your doctor, oncologist, tumor board recommending?
Are they going to try to "down-size" it somehow?
What is your MELD score?
Are you Child- Pugh class A or B or C cirrhosis?
Do you have vascular invasion?
Has it metastasized?
Are you happy with the treatment you are receiving there?
Sorry I didn't understand the end of your message.... What treatment are they purposing? Nexavar (Sorafenib)?
"Sorafenib is recommended as the first line option in patients who can not benefit from resection, transplantation, ablation or TACE, and still have preserved liver function." AASLD Practice Guideline - Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Update. 2010
Hopefully Eureka254 will chime in. She is very knowledgeable about HCC. Her husband has been fighting HCC for many years and he is currently on Nexavar.
I can only speak of my own experience at UCSF with my ESLD and HCC for the last 4 years. They are experts are treating patients with HCC. Dr. Francis Yao in his research is interested in liver cancer treatment, particularly related to liver transplants, and has contributed to important publications in this area.
Here is a great video from 2010 concerning the history, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and the latest developments in the field of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
"2010 Liver Xplant: HCC/Fighting Regrowth and Iron Overload "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuqER9AJMxA
Keep in touch. Lease hang in there.
Hector
Here are links to people who have had the Y90 procedure. For them it was successful.
http://www.y90support.org/Richard_Dickermans_SIR-Spheres.html
http://www.y90support.org/Suzanne_Lindleys_Experience_wit.html
One of them initially had a 28 cm tumor, and he has been doing well for several years now.
I know nothing about this, but I'm sure you'll get an answer soon,sorry I cant answer your questions, by the way, I know a little about Lake County, sure is beautiful
good luck, best wishes,
Mary