Aug 29 2008
Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer?
In all the metastatic liver cancer stories we gathered, none of them is told by a cancer survivor.
Some do get chemotherapy, but this cancer treatment is only to:
- reduce pain (in case it can temporarily reduce or slow down the growth of a cancer)
- prolong life.
But we get puzzled when reading Kistan2’s comment on Avastin for metastatic liver cancer where she says :
they tried another infusion of Avastin but
we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin
wouldn’t do anything to help my husband
What worries me is where Kistan2 says : we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin wouldn’t do anything.
3 worried questions come in mind…
- when you know Avastin is not going to help, then why is it still given?
- are you sure "all" knew?
Father had clearly asked if there was any chemotherapy that could cure him, and the answer given to father was a clear NO.
Having that knowledge, it’s no point in discussing 5FU, Avastin, Nexavar or what we thought was quite a cute medicine: Xeloda (being a pill that supposedly only starts working when it finds a cancer cell…, don’t be fooled: it’s chemotherapy taken orally…).
- do you tell the patient he or she is dying?
When people don’t know the cancer will kill them, then these people still have hope and courage to try anything.
In father’s case:
if he was told there was hope for a cure,
he would have taken a severe chemotherapy cocktail, no matter what.Severe, as he had secondary liver cancer with unknown primary. In proper English: nobody knew where his cancer originated from, so in order for a chemotherapy to be effective, they needed to fight "all cancers possible".
Always ask your oncologist what can be expected and
how sure he is relying on his experience.
In simple words: in my experience I have a few friends that survived breast cancer after being treated with radiation, mastectomy and chemotherapy. So when I hear ‘breast cancer’ I have hope (knowing very well that treating breast cancer is a much more difficult and much longer road than surviving dengue fever or treating a cold).
When it comes to metastatic liver cancer, my experience so far is: not having encountered any secondary liver cancer survivor. If you have, please ask him or her to share with us his cancer story!
14 Responses to “Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer?”
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Discuss your concerns with others who have been touched by cancer:
Hi
Ive just lost my partner Jackie 43yrs old to Cancer Metastic Liver Dease with an unknown primary, Jackie had symtoms for only four and a half weeks before peacefully passing away at home.
Jackie never smoked or drank and had a active lifestyle looking after two Children 10 and 5 yrs old.
My self and my children are devistated.
Paul
[...] Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer? [...]
@Paul
All our hugs and prayers to you and your family. The road is long and hard.
We explained in Jackie 43 years old passed away to metastatic liver cancer why Trish of 43 is a metastatic liver cancer survivor but Jackie is not.
Please leave your support or hugs for Paul and his 2 children.
Hi
I send all of my love and support for those who have been affected by liver cancer either directly or indirectly. My father passed away almost 4 months ago at the age of 55 from this disease. I miss my dad every day that passes. So this is my prayer, I pray that one day liver cancer will be able to be treated and the statistics of those who survive this disease rise. God Bless You All!
HI ya I m so sorry to hear of Jackies Passing away I ve been diagnosed with breast cancer early stage and know i will survive and it hurts me to see people suffer from lost ones Im 41 and diagnosed when 39 never thought i d see this day but am pessimistic and think it will kill me eventually so hope your donig ok hun
[...] Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer? [...]
@Chrissy
Thanks for sharing, we still have the "4 months" feeling after now 18 months.
More thoughts about your comment at Chrissy’s metastatic liver cancer story
My hug and prayer to you and your family.
I cant begin to explain the hurt and the pain this cancer is causing my life.. Ive just turned 22 and my fathers lying in a hospice awaiting his fate. Me and my father were never close and when I went back to New Zealand in September 2007 (my dads from Norway) I got a letter in the mail in December. It was from him saying hes now found out hes got liver mets.
I remember my whole body just froze and I felt the pressure build up behind my eyes.. the only think I could do was go back. I came back in April 2008 and he didn’t look good at all, and it was only then I realized what a responsibility I had in front of me.
My family here suck to put it lightly and couldnt care less about him. So Ive had to face this war with him alone. There has been a lot of ups and downs and only now has the cancers true colors begun to show itself..
It started with him just not wanting food at all anymore not that he was eating much before that and I just knew I had to call the hospice. His liver has now enlarged in only a matter of three days and his spleen has enlarged to, I broke down in tears when I saw this as i realized this is the next level.. A level im having a very hard time accepting.
It doesn’t make it easier when the family that actually do care are down in New Zealand.. its hard not having anybody here. Im terrified to go see him as im scared as to how much more he will have progressed.. he cant walk anymore or do anything himself and hes just gotten so weak..
I’m just having trouble with the fact that hes never coming home again.. I feel like I’m mourning his death everyday as the pain of it all is so strong.
My birthday wish this year was that I hope he doesn’t suffer a lot of pain when he leaves me behind.. its such a shame we never had that father - son relationship.. and now it will never happen..
I’m scared of when the next bomb will go off.. because no matter what i do.. i just cant prepare myself for this..
[...] Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer? [...]
@Patrick
All our hugs and prayers.
Get some inspiration in our cancer story at One caregiver is never enough! Patrick’s father has metastatic liver cancer.
Keep us updated with anything you want to share: if writing things down helps you get the burden a bit of your shoulder, please go ahead.
Try to get more family members to help you: any help is better than none. For those who want to help: don’t go and visit like you would visit your brother, sister or neighbour.
A care giver needs:
@Anne
Thanks for sharing and sorry for the late reply. We answered your comment at :
Breast cancer survivor stories - please contact Anne
We request all breast cancer survivors and care givers to share their stories at the sites below, so people like Anne who have to start their breast cancer journey, don’t have to walk it all alone!
Share your breast cancer stories at:
[...] Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer? [...]
Patrick,
I know how you feel. You just explained my feelings too.