Metastatic Breast Cancer in Liver

[Noodleboo]

Please Help.


       My mother is a very young and strong 70 years old, and had never been sick a day in her life. In January 07, they found a lump in her breast, and removed it in March. It had clean margins, and her lymph nodes were clear. After the surgery, she healed slowly, and they gave her hormone blockers to take.
      In July before they were to start radiation (that she never actully received), they did a routine x-ray and found that she has cancer on her bones, in her lungs, in her liver, and perhaps her uterus. She has 28 lesions in her liver. They were shocked to see this result.
      This week (Sept 9th) they took her off of the hormone blocker and put her on a pill (aridex?) that is supposed to affect the hormone receptors of the tumors. Then if that doesn't work, or stops working, they'll put her on an injected (something-dex?) medicine that does the same thing but in a different way. The doctor is not as concerned about the cancer in the lungs and on the bones- the liver is the thing that is main problem.
      They told us that she has 2 years or less to live. I am absolutely desperate to find a more aggressive, effective treatment for the cancer in her liver. We are willing to travel anywhere we need to go, and I think time is of the essence right now. My question, I suppose, is have any of you heard of an actual procedure or treatment process that has a more reliable, optimistic outcome? I just got married and I want my mom to live to see her (unconceived yet) grandchildren!!

[lizziecee]

Sorry to hear of your mother's mets. I have a friend in Tampa, Florida, who was dx with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer 7 yrs ago. He is now 78 yrs.  He had his lung removed, then it spread to one of his kidneys which he also had removed. He was advised "to make his arrangements with a funeral home." His wife was devastated and by doing some research found The Moffit Cancer Hospital in Tampa, where he has been treated for the past 6 years. His doctors are astounded that he is still alive and he now gives inspirational talks to othe stage IV cancer patients at the hospital. This year they found a small malignant tumour on his remaining lung but said it is slow growing. He is well enough to be taking a 2 month trip to Canada to see friends and relatives, and will be monitored again in November, when he expects to have 7 weeks of radiotherapy.

Other than the Moffitt, the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minn. is reputedly one of the best hospitals in the world for cancer treatment. MD Anderson in Houston also has a very good reputation for state of the art cancer treatment.

Perhaps if you call one of these hospitals and explain your Mom's situation they may be able to help.

Take care.
Liz.

[RockingGranny]

You may want to look into macrobiotic eating.  There is a book titled "The Macrobiotic The Path To Total Health" by Michio Kushi.  Mr. Kushi has a location near Boston, MA.  The web address is www.kushiinstitute.org.  Many people have been healed from various illnesses, including cancer, using a macrobiotic diet.

Good luck
Rocking

[Noodleboo]

Thank you very much for your comment! I forgot to mention that- they discovered that it was breast cancer in the liver by doing a needle biopsy. May I ask if you know of any hospital or center that specializes in metastatic breast cancers?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear noodleboo:  Treatments for cancer depend upon many factors including the type of cancer, hormone receptor status, health of the patient and research into what is likely to be most effective with the least amount of toxicity.  Although it may be a reasonable assumption that the cancer in her liver, lungs and bones is from the breast, have the doctors suggested biopsy of the liver (for example) to be certain it is the same cancer and not a different cancer?  Cancer that is widespread is unlikely to be cured but can be treated.  You might consider a second opinion at a major medical center close to where your mother lives – cancer treatment generally lasts months and many people would prefer to be at home.  Keep in mind that when doctors give estimates of how long a person will live, they are just estimates based on experience. Nobody knows how long a person will live.