Am really worried. Had grade 3 breast cancer in 2005, 2cm , margins clear, 16 lymph nodes clear. Had 6 months chemo followed by 4 weeks radiotherapy. Have since found out have BRCA1 gene so have had double masectomy with recon followed by full hysterectomy to remove chance of ovarian cancer.
Have been having some problems with my stomach- although I do love my chocolate am not a massive eater but my stomach is always bloated and tender.
Went to GP who did some bloods including liver function tests- these came back all clear, then went for an ultrasound on Tuesday. As the sonographer was scanning me every area of my abdomen was tender and he proceeded to ask me if I had any health problems, which I said no but have had cancer in the past. He asked which one and I told him. He then told me that it looked like I had metastis on my liver but would need to see my gp in a week!!! To say I was shocked was an underestimate. He aslo showed me the scan, I could see 3-4 small grey faded circles and this he said could be metastis or fatty liver deposits.
I spoke to my gp and breast cancer nurse who are disgusted with the sonographer and have raised complaints and I am booked for a ct scan on Monday. Obviously very worried have a 4 year old and lost my mum to this disease when I was only 12 and stupidly thought its been over 5 years and have now been discharged so thought I was gonna be ok.
Any opinions good or bad would be most appreciated.
Hi… shocking! Doesn’t look as if the sonographer followed correct procedure regarding patient etiquette! I’ve never seen my scans, I think they would freak me out…
Anyway: here’s my experience of liver mets. Though these were found in summer 2009, I am currently doing well on treatment and my scans/bloods are stable. Some patients can be NED in liver after a course of chemo! So whatever the news, please hang in there and keep some hope. - update this thread when you get some results?
Hoping it is just fatty deposits
I’ve not had a liver ultrasound myself, but CT and MRI scans can also show another odd feature, a “haemangioma” which is a cluster of blood vessels, nothing to worry about. I have one of these in my liver too.
I’m a stage 4 from the get go after a routine screening last June age 49. I have liver, lung and bone mets which were first seen on a CT and then I had an ultrasound to confirm.
The sonographer was out of order in telling you then and there as they may be cysts or fatty deposits and the scan will need to be reported on by a radiologist. Hoping it’s nothing, but if it is the worst case scenario, don’t panic - there is hope. There are women on the boards here and in the USA who are living very well with liver mets which are stable or have disappeared following chemo.
Don’t Google anything - I did and it put the fear of death in me (so to speak!) Many ofthe stats are out of date and there are new treatments coming through all the time.For example, if there are only a few liver mets, cyberknife which is a targeted radiotherapy treatment can be very successful. There are also other radiological therapies available and of course chemo.
Sorry you now have to wait around. I’d start pushing the GP today / Monday to make sure you get the results of the CT asap to hopefully put your mind at rest.
BTW, I didn’t have any symptoms with my BC or mets. It’s good news that your LFT’s (liver function tests) are fine.
Hang on in there. Why don’t you give the helpline a call if you want to chat - they’re fab!
I totally agree with everyone about the sonographer was bang out of order, and scans have to be reported on by a Radiologist.
I’ve had liver mets for a few years now, and my experience is that they respond very well to chemo. I had FEC which did wonders and I was stable for a few years, they have started to regrow again and I have just started Capecitabine, which apparently you can take for years if the tumours are stable. Past that there are lots of other chemo’s you can have. There is a targeted treatment called Radio Frequency Ablation that you can have if the tumours are suitable and this just zaps the tumours and kills them.
As Alestra said, dont go Googling, as all our cancer journeys are individual, and very often its the bad stories that you pick up on and you think thats how its going to be for you.
Just try and stay positive till you get the results, then deal with the outcome then.
Jane xxxx
I am sorry to read about your experience too and wanted to suggest that calling our helpline to talk it through may help, our team are here to offer you further support and a listening ear and the lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Sat on 0808 800 6000
