Liver Cancer - Survivors?

A friend of mine has liver cancer, she's had a it quite a while but its only just become active, she starts her treatment next week

All i have heard people tell me is that liver cancer is a killer and she doesnt really stand much of a chance.

Is this true? do many people fight this cancer?

People are all so negative!

When my friend who has the cancer is so postive, she says she IS going to get better

i cant imagine it anyother way! itwouldnt make sence for her to just die

Hi there,

There are new pioneering treatments for liver cancer - I know someone who had one of these new treatments a year ago and is currently very fit and healthy and clear in remission.

It all depends on the state of the cancer - 1 being the early stages - 4 the late stages. The more advanced the cancer the more difficult it is to treat successfully.

I think you would be best off talking to a cancer help line as clearly some of the responses on here have upset you, sometimes it is better to get professional advice or feedback. Try the link below for reliable advice.

PS: I think it is really nice that you are so concerned for your friend, concerned enough to ask this question - she has a good friend and you will help her.

I had a tumour on my kidney 2 years ago, had an operation to remove it along with my right kidney and now i'm 100% ok.

There are many stages of cancer and having it does not mean a death sentence, the longer it has been there the more difficult it can be to get rid but that's sometimes all it is.

Here's the NHS Direct link for some liver cancer info for youhttp://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/art...

Unfortunately, once the cancer is active in the liver, it's some VERY bad news and the outcome is not a good one, I'm sorry:(

I know someone who survived liver cancer and at the same time I lost someone to it. As usual in life and illness each of us are different and survival is very much an individual matter due to every one having different circumstances. Good luck to your friend

The term liver cancer is misleading, as most cancer in the liver is metastatic and represents an end stage cancer. True hepatic cancer is rare.

Depends on whereabouts on the liver it is? My Mum has bowel cancer with secondaries on her liver-she had 7 tumours on her liver but after a course of chemo some have shrunk & some have completely disappeared!! They can now operate on that because the liver is a regenerative organ & can withstand a lot of punishment!! If the cancer hasn't totally covered the liver then they might be able to do a liver resection, if not then the chemo might be able to do some good.
If your friend is otherwise fit & healthy and is also a fighter then she stands a very good chance of survival...hope this helped?
Email me if you need anymore info.

It sounds to be as though she is likely to have neuroendocrine tumours in her liver. Primary HCC or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are both quite aggressive, and don't become "active", and if tumours have spread from other organs than it is quite advanced. If it was an HCC then it can be cured with RFA, hepatectomy or tansplant, but usually the tumours have to be solitary and under 5cm. Secondary tumours can be operated and and removed, the liver regenerating itself, but it depends on which segments they are in, and the residual liver that would be left to prevent decompensation.

If it is, as i would suspect from your brief details neuroendocrine, then there are still options open, and it is not always doom and gloom, but carcinoid syndrome isn't pleasant.

Your friend absolutely does not have to die. Go to www.hacres.com. I know many survivors. There is hope. Tell her to check out www.hacres.com, too; I believe that she will definitely like what she sees.

Live long and kick cancer to the curb.