elevated liver enzymes?? what does this mean?

monicadanko

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through 2 lumpectomies, then radiation, now she has had two chemo treatments so far. After the first she lost all of her hair and became very dehydrated. Then she had the second and began having a lot of abdominal pain. She also has Chrone's Disease, but the doctor's say that chemo should actually improve that. So she was admitted into the hospital the other day. They did a CAT scan with contrast (barium) and found that she had several abcesses in her bowels and they found a dark spot on her liver. They have been doing lots of tests. The first was a bone scan which came back normal. They don't want to do anything with the liver spot until they get the abcesses under control. Today she said that her liver enzymes were elevated. I am very worried about her. Can anyone tell me if the elevated enzymes are normal with chemo or if it is a pretty sure sign that the cancer is mets? I would appreciate any info. This is all new to me and very scary. I have researched some on the web but would appreciate any good links to good information.

darCraig

Hi Monica, I so sorry about your Mom.  This is a very difficult time.  I don't know why the enzymns are elevated, but mine were after chemo treatments, and they went back to normal and I'm fine.  My understanding is that they can be elevated for many, many reasons.  The liver processes many drugs - tylonol can cause elevated enzymes (and alchohol too!).  The spot on the liver could be many things too - but the doctors will take everything together before making a diagnosis.   When we are going through active treatment, it's definitely a roller coaster - and not one we got on willingly.  You will get through this one day at a time.  Ask the doctors questions, ask here.  Get support and take care of yourself physically and emotionally so that you can be there for your Mom.  She is lucky to have such a loving daughter!