Chemotherapy for HCC

[Njovu]

I had to wait 6 months of residency in the UK even though I am a full British citizen to receive help from the NHS - now I am eligible and been seen to in the time I waited my cancer spread from the liver and tumours increased - so now am not eligible for a transplant - I had tests in December and showed me out of the Child-Pugh score with a great drop of albumin - they said they could not treat me with chemo or anything only for pain at the end (was 49 - now just turned 50) - devastating... I went back to Africa for December and ate my normal foods (lots of meat and sea food), sea level air and healthy living - came back and now blood tests improved greatly - albumin right up, no aceites and back in the Child-Pugh score of A but well in ; now they getting together to make a plan for chemo - have been reading that chemo is not effective!! Has anybody had experience with chemo for liver cancer? Feeling a bit hard done by! My mother was born here at the start of the great war - endured the German bombings in London (stories from my grandmother) - my Grandfather fought through the whole war and survived - out at Dunkirk, back in again in again on the beaches - also my South African side fought for the UK in the airforce and then I was told to wait - could of been helped earlier (I have no insurance or funds in Africa having lost everything) whilst I see the UK helping non British people! - anyway sorry about the gripe and I guess we all look for blame but when you are about to die young your head does funny things!

[DeniB]

Chemo for Liver is best done through TACE. The chemo goes direct to the liver, if they can embolize the tumours at the same time then this cuts off the blood supply. It's a 5-6 week recovery, hair loss, appetite issues and generally knackered. Sadly not a cure but all there is for liver at the moment. New is treatment with Immunotherapy but this currently only available as a trial and usually only after chemo has been tried. Sorafenib may also be offered with Tace as it acts as a suppression for cancer. Evidence changes in diet may help - plant based, juicing esp carrots and pro biotics/gut health.

[Njovu in reply to DeniB]

Thank you so much - I was on sorafenib that I got in India (failed transplant there) - it seemed to have worked in addition to cyberknife as in July last year tumours receded 16% and AFP went down to 450 from 1800 ; I stopped in August as it makes me feel terrible and I had some work contracts (in my work I have to be sharp) ; however scan in November showed increase again and AFP to 3000 and there is an inflamed lymph node just next to the liver. In December I was out of the Child-Pugh score (B) and not able to receive treatment - my albumin was very low - I went back "home" for sun, sea and high protein diet that I am used to and now from blood tests this week in London I am way up in albumin, hemoglobin, red blood cells etc so am now a 6 - they have called me back for a scan next Wednesday and will make a plan for chemo for me - I have loads of sorafenib from India (it costs $150 for 3 month course!) so wont be a burden on the NHS but I cannot handle it at the moment makes me nauseous and sleep all the time