Medical question...

[MinnieTink]

Recently a 40-something year old friend was diagnosed with metastatic cancer with unknown primary. He has tumors in the liver but this is not the primary site, and they have yet to determine the primary. Has anyone had any experience with this? Very worried!

 

[Micca]

I am so sorry Minnietink. I have no real knowledge about this, but it seems anytime I've heard about someone with cancer that has spread, the prognosis was not good. I'm hoping in this case it will be different.

 

[manning]

Cancer in the liver is not good.

I had cancer 16 years ago and was told that cancer likes to spread to the liver and lungs because of the blood source.

 

[MidgeD79]

I just found out today (11/24) that my dad has primary lung cancer that has metastasized to his liver.I looked up some info on the internet and I wished I hadn't.

 

[Hillbeans]

Could it be Bile Duct or Gallbladder? My mom had GB cancer that spread to her liver and the primary was hard to find at first due to the amount of stones she had.

I am so sorry.

 

[RNMOM]

If I could suggest, just let them find the primary site and you just focus on supporting him. The liver and the lungs are very common places for cancer to metastasize to. It would be difficult to figure this out, look how difficult it is for the doctors. They will treat it when they know what to treat.

Give him and know we will keep in in our thoughts.

 

[JessicaR]

The National Cancer Institute addresses these concerns and
diagnostic techniques have improved dramatically in recent years. This may be a good read:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/unknownprimary

I hope your friend finds himself/herself in knowledge's hands that know the next step.

The site offers many links that may be helpful.

 

[mafibisha]

Recently a 40-something year old friend was diagnosed with metastatic cancer with unknown primary. He has tumors in the liver but this is not the primary site, and they have yet to determine the primary. Has anyone had any experience with this? Very worried!

Has he had any moles removed?

As being discussed on another current thread here, melanoma has often been misdiagnosed, or undiagnosed when a mole is removed. Especially years ago.

IOW if its melanoma, but not diagnosed as such and then totally excised, it can - and frequently does - spread, and thats where its finally diagnosed.

Sorry to hear about your friend. Prayers.

 

[C.Ann]

If I could suggest, just let them find the primary site and you just focus on supporting him. The liver and the lungs are very common places for cancer to metastasize to. It would be difficult to figure this out, look how difficult it is for the doctors. They will treat it when they know what to treat.

Give him and know we will keep in in our thoughts.

I agree - and depending on the origin (even if it's the lungs), with proper treatment he could live 10 yrs. or longer - even though it has metastisized..

Don't give up hope!

 

[Disney Doll]

Primary site is often lung or pancreas with liver mets.

My late DFIL had prostate to bladder to liver & bone.

 

[tink_lover]

Sorry to hear that. I would make sure they send a specimen to a good pathology lab where they can test for tumor of unknown origin to determine primary site - or rule out secondary sites.

 

[MizTink]

first let me say i'm so sorry about your friend.

but i have to stop reading these posts, because as i read, i was scared i had each type people mentioned! i must be a bit of a hypochondriac

 

[sue1013]

My FIL had colon cancer that metastsized (sp?) to the liver. The first hospital removed the colon cancer said all they could do was chemo for the liver. Tumors kept growing, went to another hospital they would not do surgery on his liver said it was too bad would never survive. We had been trying to get him to go to a well know cancer hospital but he fought us. Finally it was his only choice, they did the surgery removed 80% of his liver put a pump in his liver so the chemo only went there. He is now 10 years cancer free! Make sure to try and get him to a good hospital.

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for the replies and prayers. The Drs are telling him they think it is colon ca but his colonoscopy and ct did not reveal anything there. He's in the hospital. Had to have a biliary stent. I'm trying to think hopeful thoughts...

 

[mom2travel]

So sorry to hear about your friends. Good thoughts and prayers for him, you and all his family and friends