Liver count is raised ????

[e-priestman]

My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer stage 3 earlier this year. Over Easter he was in hospital having surgery (a lone Tony to remove 3/5 of his upper left lobe). Five weeks post op he started cheomotherapy. That has now finished and he was put forward to start a new trial drug. He had a body and brain scan prior to the trial start date which both cameback clear to our delight.

He has had had three lots of the trial drugs so far (2 injections every 3wks for 12mths), so still very early days. There have been a couple of side effects but nothing too bad.

On seeing his oncologist this morning, it was mentioned that one of his liver counts was raised (this was also raised slightly during chemo and also at the pre trial bloods), but it it getting bigger each time, but only by a very small amount.

Could you tell me what might’ve causing this and could it be a indicator that the cancer is back?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I look forward to a reply.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Epriestman,

Chemotherapy drugs may cause liver inflamation because they are toxins and they place added stress on the liver's filtering function. The liver removes toxins and chemicals from the blood stream and changes them into products that can be readily removed through the bile or urine.

Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes, into the bloodstream, which can result in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests.

Although only slightly raised your husbands blood (liver function tests) will be regularly monitored . Great news that his body and brain scans are clear.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline.

[e-priestman in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your reply. More blood tests next week so we’ll see where they are at then. Thank you again,

Emma

[jckjanetrosalin]

Great news that his scans are ok ..xx

[e-priestman in reply to jckjanetrosalin]

Thank you so much x