Hi. I’m not sure whether this is the right place to post, as I haven’t been diagnosed with secondaries. Apologies if in the wrong spot. However, I’m experiencing significant symptoms and hoping some of you may be able to guide me about your experiences of what I should be asking of my GP. My background is endometrial cancer in 2011 breast in 2016. I had lumpectomy and radiotherapy, as oncotype test gave a low benefit to chemo. I currently take Exmestane, as anastrazole didn’t agree with me. After a few rubbish health years, this year has been a turn around, with focus back at enjoying work and family life, succeeding at dieting and getting fitter and finally feeling me again. However, about 2 months ago I started suffering with nausea and pain under my right rib and in my stomach. I get uncomfortable sitting upright and, despite losing weight, need soft waistbands. In recent weeks, this has progressed to lack of appetite, feeling full, bloated and belchy! My GP was great and I was referred for gastroscope of stomach last week (nothing found - I’d hoped for an ulcer!). At annual surgical review last week, I was direct with my ever supportive surgeon; asking whether I should be concerned about possible mets to liver. She told me I would probably need a liver scan but this would be for GP to look into. I have had bloods taken, which were normal. I don’t have a gallbladder, so can rule that out. I have (as we all do!) trawled through the threads on here trying to find anyone who has experienced similar. I see my GP again on Thursday. I wondered if liver mets are possible with a “normal” set of bloods, does that mean I don’t need a scan and will further liver tests be ruled out? I’ve seen that many of you had no symptoms. Thank you in advance for any and all advice or suggestions - even if to point me to a more appropriate spot on the forum! I’m usually known for a sensible rational head, but getting increasingly anxious x
Hi Janey
Youve come to the right place and by starting a new thread it should get seen and others reply, as well as me, which should give a few more view points.
Going on your history of both cancers I would insist on having a scan and not be fobbed off if your GP tries to say it’s not needed, hopefully he/she will listen to your concerns as obviously you’re not feeling right. An MRI is more accurate in terms of detail but is more expensive for the NHS so quite often a CT will be offered. This would show up most lesions in the liver but not really small ones. It should also show up any other areas of concern. With any luck there will be another explanation or cause for your discomfort (other than cancer) so iit makes sense to insist on a scan for whatever reason. As to normal blood tests, I’m assuming they ran full liver function tests, these can still appear in the normal range even with quite a few mets (that’s my experience) so a blood test on its own wouldn’t necessarily rule mets in or out.
I do hope your concerns are addressed and that any tests or scans rule out mets or any other major condition.
Do come back though to ask any further questions and we do all understand how this horrible disease makes us such nervous wrecks.
Nicky x
Hi Janey
I would have thought that if your symptoms were caused by liver mets that your bloods would indicate some abnormality in liver enzymes - have you also had tumour markers (blood test) taken if not you could also request this while awaiting for a scan.
In my case my bloods were normal when tumour on liver was seen on scan (1cm) I had no symptoms from that but did have pleural effusions which gave me symptoms. I was put on letrozole but after 2 months scan showed another liver tumour at this point my liver enzymes were abnormal they also did tumour markers at this point which were also abnormal but I had no liver symptoms.
Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long for a scan to find a cause for your symptoms.
Best wishes x
Many thanks Sarah. It seems like bloods not the best indicator for you and Nicky. I had full blood test but not sure if tumour markers considered. Will see what GP says on Thursday. X
Still no answers but understanding GP listened and is referring for urgent scan and also colonoscopy. She’s gone for US rather than CT unless indicated, to avoid radiation. Both on 2 week wait. Thanks for support