Aa
HCC
Well as suspected my partners MRI results were not good. Definately cancer sigh. Have no information but to wait for blood work and surgical consult,. Hard to be optimistic. With cirrohsis chances of resection in lobe 8 are questionable at best. Tumour is 4cm. Any thoughts from anyone who has experience would be helpful. From what I can tell from reading 5 year survival is not good :( discouraged!
Hi and welcome.
I am very familiar with liver cancer (HCC.)I was diagnosed with it June 1, 2011and lived with it for 2 1/2 years before I was able to get my liver transplant last November 16th and am now cancer free. During those years I had 8 different cancer treatments to manage the cancer so I could get to transplant.
By the way my hepatologist who got me through my 7 year journey to transplant worked at the University of Toronto before coming to my liver transplant center here in San Francisco in 1997.
My main suggestion from my own experience is to take things "one step at a time". In the transplant community we say "take baby steps". If we try to to start thinking more than 1 or 2 steps ahead about what might happen if this happens we get crazy and stressed. Our minds start to obsess about "what ifs", "and then" which only create more stress that we don't need. Having cirrhosis and liver cancer is plenty. No need to add additional burdens. I have found that what will actually happen is never what we imagine it to be.
On the journey to transplant (if that is the course your partner must take) nothing goes from step 1-5. There are detours that happen along the way. By the time we get to step 3 everything has already changed and we are in a new situation and must reorient ourselves for the new situation. This isn't good or bad it is just the reality of advanced liver disease and HCC.
As you said the chances of resection in a person with cirrhosis is low. But you never know. So whether or not that is an option will obviously point you in one direction or another. Each a very different scenario. So this is what I mean by taking it one step at a time. We have to go through the process. No shortcuts or skipping steps is possible.
"5 year survival is not good :( "
Not true. Yes with resection recurrence in 5 years is likely but survival is good with a liver transplant for HCC.Liver transplant is the only "cure" for someone with cirrhosis and HCC. Myself and many friend are here today thanks to have that life-saving option.
My other advise...Stay positive and hopeful. It can be very difficult and challenging at times as there will be many ups and downs, but liver cancer can be managed and life beyond cancer does exist. Never doubt that.
Be well.
Let us know as things develop.
Best wishes to your partner!
Hector
I am very familiar with liver cancer (HCC.)I was diagnosed with it June 1, 2011and lived with it for 2 1/2 years before I was able to get my liver transplant last November 16th and am now cancer free. During those years I had 8 different cancer treatments to manage the cancer so I could get to transplant.
By the way my hepatologist who got me through my 7 year journey to transplant worked at the University of Toronto before coming to my liver transplant center here in San Francisco in 1997.
My main suggestion from my own experience is to take things "one step at a time". In the transplant community we say "take baby steps". If we try to to start thinking more than 1 or 2 steps ahead about what might happen if this happens we get crazy and stressed. Our minds start to obsess about "what ifs", "and then" which only create more stress that we don't need. Having cirrhosis and liver cancer is plenty. No need to add additional burdens. I have found that what will actually happen is never what we imagine it to be.
On the journey to transplant (if that is the course your partner must take) nothing goes from step 1-5. There are detours that happen along the way. By the time we get to step 3 everything has already changed and we are in a new situation and must reorient ourselves for the new situation. This isn't good or bad it is just the reality of advanced liver disease and HCC.
As you said the chances of resection in a person with cirrhosis is low. But you never know. So whether or not that is an option will obviously point you in one direction or another. Each a very different scenario. So this is what I mean by taking it one step at a time. We have to go through the process. No shortcuts or skipping steps is possible.
"5 year survival is not good :( "
Not true. Yes with resection recurrence in 5 years is likely but survival is good with a liver transplant for HCC.Liver transplant is the only "cure" for someone with cirrhosis and HCC. Myself and many friend are here today thanks to have that life-saving option.
My other advise...Stay positive and hopeful. It can be very difficult and challenging at times as there will be many ups and downs, but liver cancer can be managed and life beyond cancer does exist. Never doubt that.
Be well.
Let us know as things develop.
Best wishes to your partner!
Hector
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcatheter_arterial_chemoembolization
I think my wife's HCC was of similar size (aprox. 3 cm ?). She had the TACE procedure while waiting for transplant. Not a lotta fun, but you do whatcha gotta. Do you know your partner's AFP #s ?
I think my wife's HCC was of similar size (aprox. 3 cm ?). She had the TACE procedure while waiting for transplant. Not a lotta fun, but you do whatcha gotta. Do you know your partner's AFP #s ?
So very sorry about this diagnosis. Try to stay optomistic and proactive as cancer is on the cutting edge with new and better treatment. Your best line of defense is to align you and your partner with a Comprehensive Cancer Hospital. Where you get your treatment in many cases will determine the outcome.
Its never assumed cancer unless a positive biopsy says so. An MRI cannot accurately confirm cancer. Am a cancer survivor have knowledge of what you both are going thru. Before any decisions are made further testing is indicated. You then need to do some research thru knowledgable word of mouth, or your own investigation.
Please keep us informed should it be confirmed. If you can give us some idea of your situation we can help you. 4 cm sounds scary, but with cancer their are various other markers which hold more importance.
Stay strong, keep the faith, and most all all gain knowledge as that is the best tool you have to outsmart the disease. Should this be cancer, it can be treated and cured.
We as a group can help steer you towards the best path.
Take care
....Kim
Its never assumed cancer unless a positive biopsy says so. An MRI cannot accurately confirm cancer. Am a cancer survivor have knowledge of what you both are going thru. Before any decisions are made further testing is indicated. You then need to do some research thru knowledgable word of mouth, or your own investigation.
Please keep us informed should it be confirmed. If you can give us some idea of your situation we can help you. 4 cm sounds scary, but with cancer their are various other markers which hold more importance.
Stay strong, keep the faith, and most all all gain knowledge as that is the best tool you have to outsmart the disease. Should this be cancer, it can be treated and cured.
We as a group can help steer you towards the best path.
Take care
....Kim
I am very sorry about your partner's diagnosis. I am wishing you and him the very best.
I cannot answer your questions about HCC. However, Hector is the best person to talk with about HCC and everything related to it (tests, treatment, etc.). Hopefully he will see your post and respond..
I cannot answer your questions about HCC. However, Hector is the best person to talk with about HCC and everything related to it (tests, treatment, etc.). Hopefully he will see your post and respond..
I don't have any experience with your question. I'm hopeful,someone can help you with information and more resources.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry about your partners diagnosis. Sending good thoughts, healing energy and peace to you both! They can do so many amazing things nowadays, I encourage you to keep up the questions and especially KEEP UP THE HOPE!
I just wanted to say I'm sorry about your partners diagnosis. Sending good thoughts, healing energy and peace to you both! They can do so many amazing things nowadays, I encourage you to keep up the questions and especially KEEP UP THE HOPE!
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