colonectomy complications question #2

[Rick 01]

Thank you for your response.

She had a proximal gastrectomy, T1 tumor with no metastises.

5 weeks after surgery she started the chemo regimen. After her first hospital stay for nuetropenia and infection she went home and was fine, blood work was perfect for about 4 weeks after which she complained of nausea and diahreaa, 72 hours after her first symptoms she had radical surgery ( total colonectomy).

Can her low platlet and high biliruben be attributed to some other underlying disease, they have given her 12-14 infusions of platlets and yet her count still fluctuates. Can this be symptoms of blockage is there any treatment available for her liver condition? besides fluids and antibiotics. Her urine is also a very dark amber. Her BP is  130-150/ 80-100, heart rate is 100-100 Bpm, the Cardiologist has told us her heart is fine.
Have you treated patients similiar to what my mother is going through.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Certainly liver failure can cause low platelets as well as the elevated bilirubin.  Whether there is a treatment available would depend on the cause of the liver failure (i.e. if there is a medication that is toxic to the liver vs an infection).  The fact that the urine is a dark amber is likely due to the elevated bilirubin.  

I would suggest a gastroenterology referral to evaluate the liver disease.  From your previous question, a hematologist has already been consulted for the low platelet count.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.