dlv
New User
Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject: MRI not showing cancer??? |
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| Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience as mine. My 74 yo Dad has recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis and hep c. He has not drank since Oct. but is not getting any better, in fact seems to be getting worse. He is having ascites and stomach pain/bloating. he doesn't eat much so losing weight and getting weaker. His AFP number is very high, however nothing is showing up on MRI. Even though cancer can't be seen Dr. thinks that he probably has liver cancer and basically says there's no options for him, saying even if they do more test and do locate cancer, treatment would only make him sicker. Is this for real? Also when we are told this the Dr. says "Have you thought of what you want to do?" Shouldn't he give us some options and guidelines for dealing with what is to come. He did give us a standing order for a paracenthesis and megace to increase my Dad's appetite. Oh yes and then he says, "Let me know how things go and come back in week or 2". Any suggestions or similar experience with cancer only showing up in numbers? If so, what should I expect? dlv |
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THE 1
Regular
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: MRI not showing cancer??? |
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Dear dlv,
AFP is commonly referred to as the Tumor marker. If it is above a certain level, it definitely is cancer. I'm not really sure whether MRI detects cancer or not, however, if you wanna find out for sure, I think its best to have a PET/CT Scan conducted on him, won't make him any sicker. MEGACE (MEGESTROL 160) is usually given to patients with Liver cancer and is termed as "Hormoneotherapy", usually to patients who don't have much hope of living in the eyes of a certain doctor. But giving death sentence to a patient just because one doctor thinks so is unfair. We should always give it our best shot for our loved ones. I think your Doctor is just doing his job, not taking this issue seriously. If you are really searching for options, then there are a couple of options that are offered to such patients. My mom had partial cirrhosis and a very low content of Hep C, and her condition was just like you mentioned of your father, lost appetite, losing weight at a fast pace etc. etc., except that her Hep C was caused by blood transfusion.... nevertheless, her stomach pain has been relieved to a large extent, her ascites is very much under control right now and her natural appetite has returned.
you might consider reading other posts of mine on this forum. But if you have PET/CT Scan facility available around you, don't lose a minute and get it done. They just make the patient drink 2 cups of contrast (isotope) and after an hour or so they put the patient inside the machine for 20-30 mins and thats it, nothing painful or harmful.
Regards,
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if GOD brings you to it, HE alone will bring you through it. |
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