Mets to liver now what?? Anyone else?

Marybetz

Just diagnosed with BC on May 17th, 2010.  Stage II.  Then PET scan shown mets to my liver, so that pushed me to Stage IV. Tumor is same size as breast.  2CM X 1.3cm.   Can liver be resectioned?  Anyone go through this?  Any and all advice would be appreciated!  Currently am on round 3 of chemo, 1 to go then another CT scan to determine if they've shrunk. 

M.B.

flachica

That stinks, but there is hope. I was dx'ed on 12/21/09, stage IV from the get go - innumerable liver lesions, including some large ones. I took 6 rounds of TCH, and based upon 2 scans, I am in complete remission and moving to Herceptin and Femara only!! Just had my last TCH this past Wednesday! What chemo are you on?

The liver can be resectioned, but usually they hit it with chemo first.

Marybetz

Thanks for the quick reply!  I'm on round 3 of 4 of AC chemo.  Taxol is the next plan after the AC is done.  I really so happy for you!!  Hope I get the same results! It's all so new, trying to stay informed by so much coming at me...feel like a puppet sometimes!

M.B.

redskies

my first onc recomended liver resection, but after a consultation with both the surgeon she recomended and another surgeon for a second opinion, both surgeons did not recommend surgery, and both stated it was seldom done/successful, and there were few if any good studies to support liver resection for breast cancer.  Was told resection usually was done only for persons with metastatic colon cancer, because the liver is usually the only place colon cancer spreads to, unlike breast cancer.

The assumption with stage 4 breast cancer is that it is systemic, and if you resect it from the liver it will spread to another site (bones, lungs and brain are favorites- breast cancer finds fertile soil in many places.)

Also, liver surgery is pretty serious stuff- make sure you get a second opinion if you do find a Dr who recommends.  It is not without its own risks... plus, you may end up with a scar that looks like a shark chomped into you (and, any abdominal surgery hurts... you pretty much feel like a shark chomped on you!)

My liver mets (initial stage 4 dx) and abdominal lymph node mets have disappeared from view on xeloda (oral chemo.)

My current onc also says taxol is very effective- good luck!