Primary Liver Cancer.

Kellys_Eye_2

Hi, I would like to know if anyone has had or know of anyone who has had Primary Livery Cancer.??

Has anyone one any information on the operation involved, the tumor is half the size of the liver.

The operation will only go ahead if the cancer has'nt spread the results of the scan will be given to me on the 13th July.

I need to know how big an operation is involved and what sort of time recovery is usual (I know everyone is different - but just an idea).

I am very worried and I have looked up just about everything that I can look up.

I really just thought someone on here may have had some experience through knowing someone or perhaps themselves.

I don't think I have posted this in the wrong place as I am only after some helpful information.

Thank You for any help you may be able to offer.

bobsa1

I'm really sorry I can't offer any advice but just wanted to send best wishes and bump this up a bit!

Kellys_Eye_2

Thank You bobsa1.

I have spoke with the consultant and they have said that they will operate if it has'nt spread and I have just had an MRI scan and a CT scan and told that I will be given the results on the 13th July.
He never got round to explaining the depth of the operation as he wanted these scans first, and being quite alot in shock as I had just been told did'nt think to ask there and then everything you want to know but don't think of until the next day or two when it starts to sink in even though it has'nt sunk in properly yet.

I was just told to cancel my holiday at the end of September as I would'nt be well enough to go.

Hellfire

the operation to remove a tumour of that size is pretty major, i would think. the good news is that the liver is largely self regenerating, so normal liver tissue should grow back. however i'm not a doctor so please don't take my word for it..:o

my best wishes go with you.

Westywoodpecker

Really you need to have your scan results before you can plan ahead. Your Consultant should then be able to tell you what is involved and how long you will be in hospital. I know it is a difficult time and you are bound to be worried, but try to take things as they come if you can. This inbetween time can be very difficult. Welcome to MSE, I hope you get lots of support and I wish you all the best.
Jackie xx

Kellys_Eye_2

Thank You both for your replies.

Yes I know the thing is to wait for the consultant but as you say this in between time is horrible.

The worst part about this is if there's a worst part, is they should have found this 12 months ago, they have been looking in the wrong place in my bowl and have not completed one test on my bowl as I was quite ill after that stuff that you have to drink to empty the bowl clled Fleet so they could do an Colonoscopy they had ago 3 times I drank the stuff and it made me very sick so they never completed a colonoscopy.

Whay started this was my haemaglobin dropped very dramatically and I was freferred to a consultant as they said it usually means that you are bleeding internally so they went for the bowl even though I told them I was getting a pain higher up on line with my stomach, they said it is probably a pain from the bowl and I was'nt having any trouble with my bowls at all.
Then on th 30th April this year a large lump came out of my side where I had complained of the pain and they thought it was a hernia !! so they sent me for a scan the very first scan and the results came back that I had a large tumor which they told me was a primary liver cancer tumor and I needed to have more scans hence the MRI and the CTs.
And this is where I'm left at present, they said it has been there about 12 months I first saw the consultant on the 21st July 2005 and it has took this long to get to this point.

I also think there has been some negligence along the way and hope I have the energy and know how to sort this out too.
Anyone any advice on this sort of thing too.??

Sorry to go on tonight but things are getting a bit much today and needed to ask for any information or advice.

Thanl You all for any help you can offer, I am only 54.

Eagle_1

Sorry I dont have the info you need but just wanted to say I hope everything goes ok. Keep posting here if you feel like a bit of a rant/moan/chat or whatever just to help you get through this.

Sorry I cant help you but just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you.

Agutka

I second Eagle_1 in wishing you all the best.

My grandmother had primary liver cancer due to hepatitis C. It was found pretty quickly, but it was followed by an all-body investigation. Because liver cancer is mostly secondary, they were looking to see where it originated. Primary liver cancer I believe is pretty rare, which may explain why in your case they didn't home in on it - although why no one gave you a simple ultrasound with tummy problems... that would've shown up the mass.
Anyway, self-regenerating livers are fantastic - they can leave what 10%? 30%? and you won't know the difference.

Write down a list of questions, worries which may pop into your head in the next week and take this list to your appointment. Don't leave until you're happy they have all been answered. That is part of the doctor's job.

Good luck again.

Agutka

Savvy_Sue

You may find it helpful to contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) at the hospital where you've been seen - every hospital should have one! Some of us have found them very helpful in resolving 'issues' - it's not a formal complaints procedure, the intention is to make sure that if things could be done better, the hospital knows this.

Also it may help you to find a support group: googling, contacting some of the cancer care charities, or phoning your consultant's secretary are all ways of doing this.

Love and hugs!

Kellys_Eye_2

I really appreciate all your replies and your help.

I don't want to pass doom and gloom around but needed to tell or ask for help as I was hoping someone may had had some experience in some way or other and many times other people's experience's can help other people through these things.

This is a very hard thing to take in and it still does'nt seem real, I am trying to be more positive and have found out about some stuff called Wheatgrass which is suppose to help people with kidney and liver cancer as it goes to the enzymes in the liver and the kidneys and is suppose to stop it from spreading, so I am giving it a go also.

This is the site I found
http://www.cancertutor.com/Cancer/Wheatgrass.html
you can make your own judgements.

I would like to Thank You all again for your replies as they really do help.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Sorry about your rotten news, so best wishes and good luck. There is subsantial cancer information, resources, support, telephone helpline here

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Home

You can also email bacup with your questions for a quick personal reply, and it has drop in centres in some large cities. It has an excellent reputation and is supported by government funding. HTH