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Hi Colleen,
I am sorry to hear about your sister. I am not sure how many or how large her liver tumours.
Resection is the best option of all and is generally only offered if there are few tumors 1 or 2. ALternatively if there are several tumours: RFA (radio frequency ablation)(available in the US) or Litt (only in Germany), these treatments are quite similar.
Generally before the above treatment is given, it is required that the tumours are controlled i.e. either decreasing with chemo or stable. If they are not, as it seems to be the case for your sister then you can think of chemo-embolisation i.e. TACE or targetted radiation (the name escape me). TACE worked for me and it worked in synergy with my systemic treatment taxotere. I went from six tumours (2 more than 3cm) to 3 tumours (all less than 2 cm) which then could be zapped. I have notice that your sister did not have any taxane (taxotere or taxol) yet. These often give good results.
Good luck, don't let your sister give up, and well done for the support you bring her.
Best wishes
__________________
35 y/o
June 06: BC stage I
Grade 3; ER/PR neg
Her-2+++; lumpectomies
Aug 06: Stage IV
liver mets: 6 tumours
July 06 to Jan 07: 2*FEC+6*Taxotere; 3*TACE; LITT
March 07- Sept 07: Vaccination trial (phase 2, peptide based) at the UW (Seattle).
Herceptin since 2006
NED til Oct 09
Recurrence Oct 2009: to internal mammary gland since October 2009 missed on Oct and March 2010 scan.. palpable nodes in May 2010 when I realised..
Nov 2011:7 mets to lungs progressing fast failed hercp/tykerb/xeloda combo..
superior vena cava blocked: stent but face remains puffy
April 2012: Teresa Trial, randomised to TDM1
Nov 2012 progressing on TDM1
Dec 2012 blockage of my airways by tumours, obliteration of these blocking tumours breathing better but hoping for more- at mo too many tumours to count in the lungs and nodes.
Dec 2012 Starting new trial S-222611 phase 1b dual egfr her2+ inhibitor.
'Under no circumstances should you lose hope..' Dalai Lama
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