Anyone with liver cancer, please reply

[Adriana Mangus]

Hi, this is Adriana.

My liver enzyme ALK number continues to get elevated.

Since am on the TDM1 clinical trial, I'm not sure if the meds are the culprit. I was told by the nurse in charge of this trial that the reading tends to go up a bit. Anyone else on the TDM1? Or with liver cancer?.

I just would like to know what to expect, just in case the cancer has now spread to the liver. I've read in the past posts by some of our sistes who have been battling liver cancer for a number of years. I'm calling to anyone
who has the time to answer. Thanks a lot!!!

Much Love to you all,

Adriana

[Jackie07]

Adriana,

Are you taking any supplements? Gelina posted this last October about her elevated ALK:

Hi all
Just let you know, the cause of elevated LFT had apparently not much to do with ca. I've been experimenting with some supplements while waiting for treatment. One of them I suspected could affect those figures and when I stoped taking it four days ago they just dropped.
Don't know what CT will show it's still sort of relief for now, thank God.
With love
Galina

[KDR]

Hi, Adriana
I have mets to the liver, but this is not "liver cancer," it is breast cancer to the liver. Two very different presentations indeed.
Your liver function tests will definitely be influenced by treatment. Mine fluctuate. My liver mets disappeared completely on Taxol. And it is good to know that the liver is an organ that regenerates itself.
Hope this helps,
Karen

[Barbara H.]

Hi Adriana,
It is normal for your liver enzymes to be elevated on TDM-1. They were elevated when I was on it. When they would get too high I would have to skip treatment. I was receiving weekly treatments and was also receiving a higher dose than the current treatments. I eventually had to withdraw from the trial due to lung inflammation. Once it is approved, I could consider going on it again. However, after what just recently happened to Sheila, I would be more concerned. I am currently on Tykerb/Herceptin and still NED.

You should not worry. What you are experiencing is a normal side effect of the drug. They will monitor you very carefully.

Best regards,
Barbara H.

[chrisy]

Adriana my LFT's were off the chart after going on tdm1. It is a known side effect of tdm1. Try not to worry, it is very likely to be the meds

[Del]

Hi Adriana,
I am also on T-DM1, and my liver enzymes both rose like crazy (both AST and ALT). They were so high that I had to be reduced to a lower dose after my first treatment, and they were scared they would have to reduce the dosage again. Thankfully they have come down finally to just above normal, although I do have to stay on the initially reduced dose. And I have not had liver mets during treatment (they have not come back after my initial treatment in 2007, they are in my armpit lymph nodes now). My doctor had me stop all vitamins/supplements to try to reduce the enzyme levels, and I even had a liver biopsy, although that didn't show anything. I'm not sure why the numbers finally came down, it did take several months. At my last visit the nurse said it could have been that I had a virus.