Is liver metastases from colon cancer an automatic death sentence?
Monday, November 9th, 2009 at
7:51 am
sharlie_j asked:
Father has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and it has metastasized to liver. Extremely worried about him. Anyone know someone or is going through anything similar that can give some hope?
Father has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and it has metastasized to liver. Extremely worried about him. Anyone know someone or is going through anything similar that can give some hope?
Filed under: Colon Cancer
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I really don’t want to answer this. Go to WebMD or just do a Google search to get your answer.
Your in my prayers. Go to mayoclinic.com and find out every thing you need to know.
Almost all patients are treated with chemotherapy.
Surgery in selected patients to remove the tumor from the Liver. This is indicated when the primary site of the disease is under control and the extent of the disease in the liver is very limited.
Response to treatment depends on the patient’s overall condition and the type and extent of the underlying cancer.
It is not necessarily a death sentance, no. Not at all
I have a friend who has fought liver cancer that has mets to other parts of her body, and she’s alive, well, and cancer-free for 3 years now!
The cool thing about the liver is that it has the ability to regrow itself. I don’t know how progressed the liver CA is, but, if they caught it in time, they may just take the cancerous part of his liver out, and let that part just grow back healthy. They may also do some radiation therapy to make sure it doesn’t come back.
Colon cancer, also, is not a death sentence. If you get a good, thourough surgeon, usually they can take out the cancerous part. Again, they may do some radiation or chemotherapy to make sure it doesn’t come back.
Unless he’s had cancer for years and not known it, I wouldn’t worry too much about him. It’ll be a rough road getting better, but odds are that he will get better.
The prognosis depends on the number and size of metastases to the liver, the original tumor’s status, timing of the diagnosis of the original tumor and the metastatic disease. The range is from curable to incurable. Your father can authorize his doctor(s) to talk with you about his true prognosis to give you a better understanding. If you live near him, have a family appointment with his doctor – if your dad is OK with that. The doctor’s duty is to help his patient through this and that often routinely includes helping the people who love him. Best wishes to you and your father.
Metastasis of colon cancer is never good. It is treatable, but not curable. However, colon cancer can go to the brain, which has a very poor prognosis and shorter life span than that which went to the liver. You or his doctor may want to discuss end of life treatment. Symptomatic treatment (making your dad comfortable), agressive therapy is a very important topic.
I am sorry I cannot offer any better news. My prayers are with you.
Hi!
I don’t really know a lot about cancer and please don’t put all your hopes in it: But isn’t there a new drug for intestinal cancer? Sutent? Don’t know about the liver though. Sorry. Good luck!
Honestly, its better you consult a specialist. I really want to help but I don’t think I can give better answers than specialist do. Sorry.
good luck
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