metastatis to liver

Posted By mary  on April 16, 1998 at 01:25:28:







My mother has stage 3 esophageal cancer and has undergone two rounds of
chemo and is 3/4 through with radiation.  She underwent a follow-up CT scan
and they discovered several spots on her liver.  Of course she's very
discouraged.  I know this latest development is not good and from what I can
get from a phone conversation (she lives in a different state so I can't hear
directly from the doctor), the doctor is now more concerned about the liver.
What does this mean for us?  Based on your clinical experience, what is the
life expectancy for patients with this complication.  Her doctors have dis-
couraged the idea of surgery of any kind and aren't too keen on the more
experimental therapies.  Are there any new treatments on the horizon for
people in my mom's situation?  They have also discussed the idea of a feeding
tube, which she finds very repellant at this stage.  What sort of surgery would
this involve and what is the typical response of patients after they get this
surgery (both physically and emotionally).  I know these are difficult questions
to address since the info is sketchy and I'm asking for fairly specific answers.
These are also emotionally charged questions, but we are facing some very
difficult times and need to have some ideas of what to expect.
Many thanks for your help,
Mary