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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Breast Cancer with Liver Mets
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Breast Cancer with Liver Mets
by Sharr, Jan 19, 2002 12:00AM
In July 2001 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. Scheduled for Double Mastectomy. Prior to the surgery I had some tests done that indicated it has already spread to my liver. Further CT showed 30 leasons on the liver the biggest one being 3cm. As soon as I was able after the surgery, the doctor started me on Tamox (no chemo/radiation). After one month of being on Tamox, they did a re-scan and it showed great improvement. All of the leasons had reduced down in size and some were gone. The biggest one now being 2.1cm. My blood work keeps coming back normal (has been all along). I am not in any pain what so ever. I can see the confused looks in my doctors faces they keep saying I am not a normal cancer patient.
Is it possible to have liver mets and not feel it? Is it possible to have cancer and yet the blood tests are normal?
For about two years prior to all of this I was taking estrogyn and progest. I was very careless with taking these drugs. I would stop and start them again or just forget to take them for a few days at a time. Could that have damaged my liver to make them think it is cancer?
I am wondering if I should get a second opinion. I like the doctors I have now though.
Is it possible to have liver mets and not feel it? Is it possible to have cancer and yet the blood tests are normal?
For about two years prior to all of this I was taking estrogyn and progest. I was very careless with taking these drugs. I would stop and start them again or just forget to take them for a few days at a time. Could that have damaged my liver to make them think it is cancer?
I am wondering if I should get a second opinion. I like the doctors I have now though.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jan 21, 2002 12:00AM
Dear sharr: It is entirely possible to have liver metastasis and not know it. In general, it takes a lot of liver disease to develop symptoms, including abnormal blood values. Since there is no test that can find breast cancer cells in the blood, most laboratory tests can be totally normal, even when a person has known cancer. It is doubtful that 30 lesions in the liver would be confused for cancer - it is a typical presentation for cancer and an atypical presentation for "benign liver damage." It sounds like you have had a terrific response to tamoxifen. In cases like this, it would be typical to do chemotherapy unless there is a medical reason that this would not be in a patient's best interst.
