confused about diagnosis

judy · New User Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 2

I have a friend who was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer in November. She is taking chemo but is very sick and has lost over 35 pounds and battling constant infections. I talk to her at least once a day. She told me the cancer started in her pancreas and then went to her liver. She gave me a copy of the lab report on the original biopsy as I have some medical transcription experience and she didn't understand all the terms. But what I don't understand is this: It states "adequate, large cell carcinoma". I always thought large cell carcinoma referred to lung cancer. I asked her again and she says they said nothing about lung cancer. There is no mention of lung cancer in this report.....pancreas either.

There is also a number/letter combination at the end of the report I don't understand....PAS9......does this mean anything?

The doctors gave her no 'time line' on life expectancy.....only a 30% chance of 12-18 months IF the chemo helps. She has started and stopped chemo twice due to infections. She is now on procrit which has raised her hemoglobin to 15, which they say is good. She has no energy, lays in bed all day and is winded just walking a few steps to the bathroom. Can any of you give me your experiences and knowledge with this disease and its progression? I feel she doesn't have long and she sort of leans on me......this is very difficult as you all know.

Thank you in advance and God bless all of you.

you may reach me at sqhillfolkart@aol.com also

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

first of all, the most common liver malignancy is not liver cancer but metastatic disease from other organs. pancreatic cancer may met to the liver and cause "secondary liver cancer."

the most common primary liver cancer is hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). the most primary pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma. adenocarcinoma can be "large cell" or have other description, and pancreatic adenoca can also be "large cell" although this is not a common major description in path report.

you are right, lung cancer can be "large cell" too. large cell lung ca is a type of adenoca but historically called "large cell."

the best way to find out the true diagnosis is to talk to the oncologist and ask him/her to explain what the diagnosis is. you friend may want to ask if there is primary disease found in pancreas and if the biopsy was taken from liver or the pancreas. also ask if the "large cell" type cancer is a type of adenocarcinoma according to her path report.

let us know if you have further questions.

good luck,

jay

J. Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology)

judy · New User Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 2

Thank you for your reply. The biopsy was taken from her liver only and there was a CT scan done. We were told there was no cancer in her lungs or lymph as of two months ago. She was diagnosed as Stage Four and was told she is not a candidate for transplant or any surgery. Her first course of chemo ends this week and a new round of tests will follow. The first diagnosis was on November 16, 2004.

As of today she is running a temp. on antibiotics and in a great deal of pain in spite of a pain patch and oral medications. She is at home. She is questioning if the chemo is 'worth it' in the long run as she has no quality of life.

Colessif · New User Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 6

Hi im sorry to hear about your friend.

my father has started chemotherapy about 4 weeks ago. Belive it or not, his chemotherapy has been very easy on him except anemia. He is on Gemcitobine as chemo, then takes Aloxi and Dexamethasone as things to ease the sickness. he is walking around, doing activities, but i will say, he is very fatigued all day which is sad.

maybe you could ask doctors about dexamethasone and aloxi and see if it could help improve her quality of chemo, but im sure these things vary from person to person, and Im only 17, so i dont know the full extent to these medications.

I hope i was helpful in some way. I hate to hear of people suffereing Sad

Best of luck to your friend.

if you happen to ask about the medications i mentioned, and the doctor declines it is probably for the best, and he probably has his reasons, and i would listen to him, because like I said, im only reporting what I see and dont know the entire thing about these medications.

snower06 · New User Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 3

Hi,

Only North America has very strict criteria for liver transplant candidates. I suggest your try a hopital in China. They will give patients transplantation when cancer does not spread.

matynne · Regular Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 23

Liver transplantations are done cheaply here in India.

People usually include a vacation for their loved ones along with the operation.

Check Google for indian hospitals.
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