Mass in liver
 

Hi everyone,

I haven't been around for a long time. I had just celebrated my five years on March 21, 2010.

I was having pain in my lower back and pain when I breathed in. I just got back from the er and they did a ct and said that I have a mass on my liver.

I go see my onc on Wed., but I am so scared. I have 3 kids at home and I just want to be here to see them grow up.

any advice of whats next, any chance it is not cancer, any long term liver met survivors?

Thanks,

Laurie

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,
I hope you hear very good news on Wed.

I just had a PET scan and had to follow up with an MRI because they found something on my liver. It turned out to be a non-cancerous 3 cm growth. I went thru the roller coaster ride of waiting and not knowing. I tried very hard to think that it was nothing. Please hang in there. I am routing for you.
Kris...

Re: Mass in liver
 

Hi Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear your news...I can only image how scared you are. I've been there. But it doesn't mean for sure it's cancer...although it's quite normal for your mind to go there. There are lots of long term survivors that battled liver mets...I'm sure they will be along shortly so please hang in there. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Chelee

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,
A 'Short Term" liver mets survivor chiming in here. Short Term because I plan on being around much, much longer. But I'll get to that later.

We ALL understand that the anxiety associated with waiting for test results. It is so normal to have all the what-ifs run through your mind. We will all hope that the mass is not BC and you won't have to beat back the disease once again.

But....if you do...I wanted to offer you words of encouragement. In October, I will be 3 years from diagnosis. While I've been on multiple rounds of treatment, I've been able to lead a very full and active life. My daughter is a junior in High School and graduates next year. There are new treatments and many of us are waiting for a miracle drug to enter the market called TDM-1. So....having a liver met is NOT a death sentence.

Focus on the now while you wait for tests and results and of course...keep us posted.

Lori

Re: Mass in liver
 

Hi Laurie~
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this, but I hope when you see your doc on Wednesday they will put you on the path to a definitive diagnosis. Most likely via biopsy, but maybe another scan or MRI will do?
One step at at time. Once you have the next piece of information, you'll know what direction to take. In the meantime, just hang in there.
I've been managing liver mets on and off for 8 years, since my primary diagnosis @33yo. I've had a lot of different chemo combos, RFA, chemo embolization, liver resection, but despite it all have managed to maintain a very active lifestyle (until recently when I started on a 5 cycles of Ixempra, which has been a real challenge).Incidentally, throughout all of this, even when the mets were characterized as "innumberable, immeasureable", I've never had symptoms - no pain, no compromised liver function, etc, so keep fingers crossed for the best.
Please keep us posted and know that we are all here pulling for you.

Keep the Faith~

Jessica

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,

I'm sorry you received this news and are so worried as we all would be. I just wanted to add that my twenty three year survivor friend had a liver mass found last year, it turned out be a benign fibroid after a liver bx.
The onc told her many people have these but most are never found, with our cancer history we get so many scans we're made aware of them.
Just wanted to throw some hope in that it may not be cancer and praying you have the same outcome:)

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,

I had a scare last year also. It turned out to be liver hemangioma, a noncancerous condition.

Let us know what you find out today. Sending good vibes your way.

Re: Mass in liver
 

Hi laurie
I am a long term survivor of liver mets...had a recurrence to the liver in 2005..cleared up by herceptin and taxol. On herceptin for 4 yrs..went off it for 8 months then liver mets again..back on herceptin plus abraxane ..back to NED in 8 weeks. have 2 tx of abraxane to go then will stay on herceptin.
Hang in there!
Jackie (down under)

Re: Mass in liver
 

Hi Laurie,
I am a survivor of lung, liver, lymph node and bone mets since I was diagnosed in Jan. of this year. I am currently NED from Herceptin/Taxol and Zometa. Not a walk in the park, but very doable.
Stay strong and you too, will be a survivor.
Best regards,
Emelie

Re: Mass in liver
 

Currently going through a similar experience with my wife who was just dx with bc. Already have had 2 MRIs for liver, with different contrasts to review under nuclear imaging. I'm not sure the extent of your bc diagnosis, or your personal background, but from my crash course in liver masses, it could be at least one of the following (or of course mets)...

1. FNH - focal node hyperplasia (BENIGN)
2. HA - hepatic adenoma (a rare BENIGN mass) except it can bleed, rupture or turn into HCC. Mostly seen in women with long history of oral contraception (this is what they are thinking for my 32 year old wife who is stage 1a, node negative, grade 3, HER2+++)
3. HCC- hepatic carcinoma... the bad stuff
4. mets - ??? (don't even want to go there)

Bottom line, it's been SCARY not knowing, but I've learned that MANY people have masses on their liver and other organs and much of the time they are benign. Imaging has just gotten so much better they are being found more and more.

Your pain obviously means it isn't likely very small, but those HA's can cause pain too... I've read.

Hoping for the best for you.

Re: Mass in liver
 

Never easy not to worry....but just reading all the wise experience of our sisters please do try to feel better.
I know it is easier said than done since being dx. everyone is concerned with the cancer returning.

Since being dx. we have more scans (as mentioned earlier) so we know more about the odd things going on inside our bodies.

We want to hear your good news as soon as you hear it.

Hugs,
Jean

Re: Mass in liver
 

Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement.

I am back from my onc appointment, and the news isn't good. The mass is 11 cm and my onc said there is a very good chance it is cancer. I have my biopsy tomorrow morning, then will see my onc on Monday.

My onc said that I will probably start treatment right away, depending on the pathology.

I am freaking out because of the size. I assume it will be her2++, just like my original tumor, that seemed to grow overnight.

My kids are 12, 11 and 8 and I just got done telling them as much as I thought they could handle. That was probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

Thanks again for your concern and support.

Laurie

Re: Mass in liver
 

I am very sorry that your Dr. did not have better news.
Yes, the hardest part of it all is always the children.
What a difficult day for you all around.

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for tomorrow. Please keep us updated.

From what many others posted they are able to beat down the nasty....please keep your spirits high and strong.

Strong Hugs,
Jean

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,
Darn... Please know that I am routing (praying) for you and hope you get back to NED real soon.
Kris...

Re: Mass in liver
 

Hi Laurie,

I am so sorry that you got bad news but please know there are treatments that can help.

I also had a liver met, my was smaller 1cm but the biospy did not show Her2. My Onc said sometimes that happens, I still stayed on Herceptin. I chose to treat my met with Cyberknife radiosurgery, it was 3 -45 minute treatments over a week. A robot delivers the radiation to the site, my liver has been clear for 2 years now. No side effects and no pain (I did get sick to my stomach once) I felt the same after treatment.

I am now battling a small lesion on my spine (L2), I had Cyberknife to that area in May. My next pet scan is August 5th so I'll let you know but I feel great. I would also ask your Onc about TDMI (super herceptin) you may be able to get in a trial. Seems like the women who talk about it on this board are very happy with it.

Please know I'm praying for you, God Bless
Pat

Re: Mass in liver
 

Dear Laurie,
So sorry the current belief is that the mass is BC.

You are doing all of the right things and as you well know, the worst part is over. Deciding what/when/how to inform our children is sooo difficult. Your instincts sound right on target in terms of being honest yet cautious.

I am so glad you found this site as it is an amazing resource for emotional support and hands on advice from many who have gone before you.

When you get the final test results and a possible game plan, please come back for input. While this might be overwhelming right now, it would be a good idea to ask your Dr. about the availability of a TDM-1 trial. IF...I repeat IF the biopsy returns bad news, you would be in a good position as a first time metastatic patient. There are trials available to you that aren't available to some of us that have been on a couple of different chemo treatments.

I have a trial in mind but need to jump of the site to get the specfics. Not certain where it is being offered and with 3 children, I appreciate the need to keep things stable on the home front.

I'll stop for now ....sending you continued prayers that the biopsy confirms B-9!!!

Re: Mass in liver
 

Prayers are with you...

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,

I'm so sorry the news was not better, I'm thinking and praying for you and still hoping for a benign condition but if not, take heart from some here who have had this and beaten it!
((((hugs))))

Re: Mass in liver
 

Adding my prayers and please keep us updated.
Take a day at a time and breath, this isn't easy .
There are lots of women on this sight to help with
suggestions and support.
patb

Re: Mass in liver
 

Laurie,

Your doctor said 'a good chance' - he/she's not sure about it yet. When we found a mass in my liver by CT, my oncologist ordered an ultrasound to confirm it was not cancer but 'hepatic hemangioma'.

I'm hoping that you will get a good 'surprise' to find it to be a non-cancerous mass. But even if it does turn out to be cancer, we have several members here who are experienced liver mets fighters. I'm sure they will share some good tips with you.

Take a deep breath and know that we are thinking of/praying for you.