cjacker
Junior Member
Posts: 98 
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Post by cjacker on Aug 11, 2015 18:55:41 GMT
Our son-in-law found out yesterday he has a cancerous mass on his liver. Last year a biopsy of the area showed no cancer, but his last biopsy shows it is cancerous. His liver doctor feels fairly confident it will just be radiation to shrink the mass; however, he has referred him to an oncologist who specializes in hematology who he will se tomorrow.
My question to the all-knowing Peas: He and my daughter are wondering what questions they should be asking when they see the oncologist tomorrow. Any information you could share would be appreciated.
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Post by ingrid6 on Aug 11, 2015 19:01:32 GMT
I don't have any answers for you but wanted to say that I will keep him and your daughter in prayer. My sister just found out that she has a mass on her liver  so I am also interested in what the peas have to say. |
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Post by mollycoddle on Aug 11, 2015 19:05:50 GMT
I have no advice, but wanted to say that your family will be in my thoughts.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 11, 2015 19:10:36 GMT
What are the treatment options? Most cancers can be treated in a number of ways.
How effective are the various options? some treatments have a better success rate than others.
How will the options affect overall health? Am I going to be able to work? Will I lose hair. will I be sick or weak?
If the treatment doesn't work, then what? Is there something that can be tried next? Some treatments make other options unavailable.
these are the questions that come to mind (basically what can you do, will it work, how will it affect me and what if it doesn't work?)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:24:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2015 19:14:56 GMT
My mom has mets on her liver in several places. She got radiation to shrink the ovarian tumour and a byproduct of that radiation was hopefully the radiation of mets on her liver at the same time.
If the oncologist believes he/she can shrink the tumour by "just radiation" and I put that in quotes because I am not sure of all the side effects of radiation, to me that sounds better than enduring months of chemotherapy. I am not saying the radiation is a walk in the park by any means. I just think not having to have chemo sounds better. The oncologists that I have met so far (which are only 5) have been the kind of people you want for next-door neighbours. They are so kind, optimistic, encouraging, and just great people. They choose this specialty because they want to make a difference in someone's life in what I would consider to be the scariest of all specialties.
What questions should they ask? I would ask about pain and referred pain, nausea, hair loss, ability to have children if applicable, time off from work, how many treatments, success rates, potential for a cure and long term survival rates, surgical options, potential for mets to other organs, etc.
EFF CANCER!!! I wish your DD and SIL all the very best. I truly do.
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Post by dazeepetals on Aug 11, 2015 19:14:59 GMT
Our son-in-law found out yesterday he has a cancerous mass on his liver. Last year a biopsy of the area showed no cancer, but his last biopsy shows it is cancerous. His liver doctor feels fairly confident it will just be radiation to shrink the mass; however, he has referred him to an oncologist who specializes in hematology who he will se tomorrow. My question to the all-knowing Peas: He and my daughter are wondering what questions they should be asking when they see the oncologist tomorrow. Any information you could share would be appreciated. I hope you mean Hepatology. A hematologist is specialized in blood disorders and cancers. It's hard to direct questions without having all the information. I would suggest your DD and SIL write down everything they hear so that they can recall the information when family/friends ask. They will likely be overwhelmed, so this will help them retain more information after the visit. |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Aug 11, 2015 19:15:33 GMT
It's hard to know what questions to ask without knowing what kind of cancer this actually is. A malignant tumor on/in the liver can be metaastatic from other locations or can be a primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), bile duct cancer or some other more rare types of cancer.
Oncologists are hematologist/oncologists by training, just like obstetricians are obstetrician/gynecologists. So when you see one, they are trained thoroughly in both. You might have meant an oncologist who specializes in hepatology, which is diseases of the liver, though that generally is a gastroenterologist (and it sounds like he is already seeing one).
The oncologist will explore the treatment options with them including whether or not chemotherapy should be considered. Other things to ask about is whether the area can be resected. Should he be seeing a surgeon who specializes in this area? That's something to ask before radiation because once an area is radiated, surgery is much more difficult.
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Aug 11, 2015 19:15:46 GMT
I'm so sorry they are going through this.
I'd ask what his treatment plan is, prognosis, options.
What will the side effects be? What should they expect?
What nutritional guidelines should they follow?
What home-care guidelines? For instance, what course of action should be taken over a temperature or vomiting?
What can be done if he has a negative reaction to the treatment?
Who do they contact if they have questions or concerns? This is important especially for after hours. If something weird is going to happen, in my experience, it'll be in middle of the night.
HTH
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Aug 11, 2015 19:38:52 GMT
You might want to ask if they are using the drug Narvoni (I think that is how it is spelled) for liver cancer. I know it is for Hep C but the studies have shown it to be beneficial to those who also have liver cancer. Now I do not know any details so it may only help with some kinds of cancer I don't know.
For anyone who has Hep C this drug is a cure.
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Post by kelbel827 on Aug 11, 2015 20:40:55 GMT
Depending on the type of cancer, liver transplant may be an option. Might want to ask about that too
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 11, 2015 21:01:06 GMT
First, let me say I'm sorry.
He needs to be at a major medical center. Your daughter needs to bring a pen and paper. Ask doctor to spell things. They should not be afraid to ask many questions. Do not expect your SIL to retain all the info. Your daughter will need to be his advocate. She should get a large 3 ring binder to store all appointments, business cards, test results, etc.
Get a second opinion if you are not confident of anything.
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so I am also interested in what the peas have to say.
