Liver Mets now

[CichockiS]

Been in xeloda 6 months. Some bones cleared up , lymph nodes cleared up but I have 2 spots on my liver. Dr gave me option to change meds or options on my liver. Anyone have any ideas. Xeloda has been good to me. Only dry hands , feet and feeling tired. What should I do

[PatSailsbery]

Wow, that's a hard question. Are the liver spots new? Does that mean Xeloda is no longer an option? What are the liver options? What chemo does your oncologist want to try next? Does your doctor have a preference? Sometimes there is not a clear cut, easy answer, so many things to consider. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each option and select the best fit for you. May you have peace and clarity in making your decision.

[Partia]

I have never used Xeloda. I'm sorry I don't have any advice. Just prayers and love.

[Andreaer]

Hi! Sorry to hearcabout your liver mets, I found out after a TC on the 3 rd of Jan about 2 small spots on liver,I was on Letrosol and Ibrance until last Sat when my onc switched me to Xeloda, so unfortunately too soon to give you advice. But think I’m going through the same symptoms as you with Xeloda. What exactly are the options on your liver according to your onc. Did he say Xeloda is no longer working for you? Have you trie Ibrance? It worked very well on my bones since June 2016. Now he wants to concentrate on my liver as my bones seem out of danger according to my last TC. Do you feel you have enough info from your doc ? Does he want you to decide ? How do you feel about taking this decision? In my case, I take these hard issues to the Lord and in so many different ways he has answered my prayers , either by giving me self assurance, leading me to the right doctor, comforting me when in despair, but always always knowing that I can turn to Him and this support group is also playing an important role giving support, hope and help reading on into each life story. My prayers go to you to find wisdoms and comfort during this hard time!

[CichockiS in reply to Andreaer]

I love my dr. He does leave much up to me though. I am so good with research and what’s new. I think I decided to see a liver specialist and I want a biopsy on the new tumor to see the genomics along with a brain MRI bc if it’s in my brain I’m not doing anything harsh !!! I never looked towards faith but I have been recently and it’s changed me so much although I have to say I did curse a bit up to the spirits when I found this news out Thank you guys !!!

[SusanDB]

I had liver mets before starting Xeloda back in February. The largest was 5.6 cm to begin with, and it reduced in size to 3.3 cm in August before my labs showed in November that the liver numbers were up. Then it was time to move on.

Just finished the second round of Doxil two days ago. Praying that the medication does it’s job and shrinks the tumors in both bones and liver. Doc says it can do that.

[CichockiS in reply to SusanDB]

How were the side effects to Doxil ? I’ve had taxol in the beginning with minimal side effects . I’ve also been on letrozol and I range with not much luck , hormonal cancer not responding to hormone treatment.

[Hidden]

I was on Xeloda for 11 months after letrozole for 3 years. After good resuts on Xeloda - barring the odd dry hand and foot spot - my liver spot suddenly increased from around 2.5cm to 5cm. Went onto navelbine capsules in October but after initial drop in my CEA and CA125, the numbers went up and liver spot increased to just over 6cmx2cm when CT scan taken on 3 January - depressing. Now I am waiting for authorisation (requested 4 January! - you would think we had all the time in the world to wait on the medical scheme's pleasure!) to change treatment to faslodex. My oncologist has not made any mention of ibrance - I shall ask her - but I think it has only recently appeared on the medical scheme formulary of allowed medicines (depending on your medical scheme plan) and as far as I could see it is "restricted" which usually means either you have to be on the most expensive plan and/or there has to be a huge investigation and motivation process before the medical will consider it - so I guess I will not get it.

Good luck on your new regimen

[Joan37]

This is totally, totally sad to me. But not because we're all in the same boat but because your oncologist did not mention local procedures to you. These procedures would be combined with chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy to help keep the cancer under control when patients have a limited amount of metastatic spread. There is currently little evidence-based medicine to use these procedures, which is often why oncologists don't prescribe them. But I've used them because I never wanted to look back and say, What if I had . . .

See my post about these procedures on this site.

Joan (luckily and thankfully living with metastatic breast cancer for 11 years).