elevated bilirubin

[kismet440]

My sister has jaundice, itching, a slightly enlarged liver, pain in upper abdomen radiating to the back.  No fever or vomiting.  She also has some spots on her liver.  Currently she is in the hospital where they are trying to find the cause.  Hepatitis has been ruled out as have other infectious agents.  Her biliruben is also high.  She has had an ultrasound, a cat scan and an MRI-all inconclusive.  Today she had a liver biopsy--no results yet.

She did have stage 2 breast cancer but finished her treatment about a year ago and has been in remission since then--her oncologist had told her at that time her prognosis was good.

Could these symptoms she is having be indicative that her breast cancer has spread to her liver?  Also, they have found no evidence that her bile ducts are blocked.  she is 47 years old and in otherwise good health.

[kismet440]

Late yesterday she was diagnosed as having secondary liver cancer.  Her oncologist was hopeful regarding her prognosis.  I will try to remain the same.

[kismet440]

We still havent got the results of the biopsy.  Her oncologist, however, has told her that they believe it is metastatic breast cancer due to her symptoms and some elevated levels in her blood.  I hope they are wrong.  I have heard though that although metastatic breast cancer cannot be cured that it can be treated and you can live a long life with it.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

i am concerned about the spots on the liver.  if radiologic and blood tests could not find the cause of the jaundice, then  a liver biopsy of either the spots or the liver itself was a good idea. The results will be very important.

[kismet440]

sorry-meant to post this in the other liver forum not here again.