Liver metastasis

monikam · New User Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 1

Hello all

My dad was diagonosed with liver metastases about 2 weeks ago through an ultrasound. We send him to the doctor after we noticed a huge weight loss, lack of appetite and he was complaining of extreme fatigue and shortness of breath.

He was referred to a head oncologist at the local hospital who ordered CT scan right away to check for primary cancer.

The chest, abdominal and pelvic CT scan revealed enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen but no primary cancer. It said the differential included metastatic melanoma and less likely leukemia, lymphoma and also HIV.

After hearing this my husband who is in the field of nuclear medicine, took steps to get my dad in for PET/CT scan. My dad took the papers to the doctor who told him that right now the most important thing is the liver biopsy and after that if she thinks it will help, she will send him in for PET/CT scan. The liver biopsy is another 3 weeks away. In the mean time nothing is being done for my dad.

My question is, if PET/CT scan is available, should that be ordered given that met melanoma is suspected? My dad is a shadow of a person he used to be just 2 months ago. He's lost lots of muscle and pretty much all the fat, can't eat much and is dealing with fevers and night sweats. This all happened very quickly over the last couple of months... We are all worried so much and this waiting is killing our family.

Should he seek second opinion? Is this doctor doing this right?

I usually don't question doctors, but this is a matter of life and death.. We have to do whatever is possible to save my dad's life.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 265

sorry to hear about your dads problems-ah my opinion A second opinion cant hurt may even help. Didnt that doctor tell him anything he can do in the meantime? doesnt make sense to me.

idobelieveinfairies · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:32 am Post subject: Soryy to read about your father.

Just curious what state your in. The pet scan will determine if it is a second or primary cancer and how many areas of the body it has spread. Most doctors would immediately order a diagnostic pet scan done within a day, 2 or hours with immediate results. Sometimes we have to take control of the situation and demand test and answers. Don't wait, call the doctor and tell them you would prefer an immediate appt and diagnosis so your father can start recieving treatment. Fever and night sweats is not a good sign. Usually poison building in the body due to it not being able to rid themselves. Meds to remove this poison is VERY urgent and important. Is his bowel movements normal? urine? Any blood in urine? Jaundice? Always, always get a second opinion but I would get the pet scan first. Until the test there is nothing to get a second opinion on.Take him to emergency room and tell them or let them see how bad he is doing/feeling. They will have no options be to run the test immediately or his family should request while he is there to have them done immediately. Do you mind me asking how old your dad is?

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