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Chemo for Liver Vs Surgery for Bowel

Posted , 2 users are following.

kandy1
kandy1

Hi,

My mum was diagnosed with Bowel cancer 4 months ago.  Since then we have had many tests to finally find out that the bowel cancer is not contained and has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes and there are 3 small spots in the liver.  The largest being 8mm.  Before knowing that it had spread to the liver the bowel surgeon suggested we do radio and chemo therapy which was completed 2 months ago (note mum is feeling really good now no more pain in the anus and minimal blood).  The liver has however still not been treated.  The bowel surgeon confirmed that the treatment was still correct eventhough the liver had not been treated and that we should proceed with surgery on both the bowel and cut out the spots in the liver then followed by chemo.  This would mean that chemo may only start in about 3 months as mum would need time to recover from the surgery.  When we recently spoke to the liver surgeon he said he could cut out the spots in the liver but would prefer to do chemo first.  Should we insist on

1. doing the chemo first on the entire body or

2. should we proceed with doing the surgery on the bowel (colostomy) then eventually followed by chemo or

3. should we even insist on all of it being cut out now then followed by chemo?

If we did 1. that would mean it would be at least 7+ months without the liver being treated.  Should the liver take priority now and if so what treatment would be best?

Any input would be very very much appreciated!!!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • kandy1
    kandy1

    Posted

    sorry i mean if we chose option 2 that would mean at least 7+ months without the liver being treated

     

  • Signing-Annie
    Signing-Annie kandy1

    Posted

    Hi,

    I was diagnose with rectal cancer & had 5 weeks daily chemo (capacetabine) & 5 weeks daily radiotherapy followed by major abdominal surgery & temporary stoma.

    My cancer then spread to my lungs rather than my liver, initially tiny nodules/tumours which were removed surgically a year later. The reason there wasn't a huge hurry to remove secondary cancer was that these cells grow really slowly - this may help explain the long time between procedures.

    Hopefully you have access to a macmillan nurse either at the hospital or a community one throught your GP.

    So I would agree with the programme planned by the surgeons, one has to trust they know best at some stage.

    All the best,

    Anne

  • kandy1
    kandy1

    Posted

    Hi Anne,

    Thank you so VERY much for taking out the time to respond.  So just to clarify did the doctors know that the cancer had spread to the lungs upfront before determining your treatment plan? If so this is very reassuring.  So how has the treatement worked for you?  It's just concerning when the liver specialist says the liver should be priority and the bowel specialist says address the primary first.  Hopefully they have had the necessary discussions now.  We have an appointment today with the bowel surgeon, our last one before the op which is due to take place on 20th October.  I'll let you know the outcome.  Anyway again I really appreciate your time and input into this. Take care.

  • kandy1
    kandy1

    Posted

    btw. I have recently moved back from London to Melbourne Australia to be with my family.  We don't have a macmillan nurse available or at least I don't think so.  I will ask around.  I know this would have made things a lot easier to have had one central person to talk to about all of this rolleyes
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