How are people with liver mets doing?
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Gigi - I am so very sorry that you are now in this situation! I don't know exactly what would come next for you, re scans, treatment, etc. I had my last scans in early December and once again they suggest that the lesions on my liver might be slightly larger than they were before. They go back and forth saying they are the same as they've been vs slightly larger. My next scans are due in early March. My oncologist has chosen to watch and wait so far, because of the only slight variations in what the radiologists are seeing. He is preparing me however for what he calls a referral for "liver therapies", beginning with a liver biopsy, depending on what the scans in March show. He has also mentioned the Y-90 possibility depending on what is found. My tumor markers (15-3 and CEA) have been very slowly, but steadily rising over the last 6 mos. They are still within the normal range and not high, but steadily going up. We don't know if that is connected to the liver thing or not. I remain on the Verzenio, fulvestrant, and Zometa; but my onc has raised the possibility of possibly needing to change treatments too, again depending on what the March scans show. It's so frustrating, because while thankfully the pace is very slow, the indications are not good.
I didn't know that you had tested positive for the ESR1 mutation. I did have the MRI to double check what the CT showed re my liver and they used the Eovist contrast. That was last September I think, and that wound up with those radiologists thinking again, that the size of my liver lesions was about the same as it has been for over a year. The CT had shown them slightly larger. December's CT showed them slightly larger again, in contrast to what the MRI had said. It's never ending. I would imagine they will want you to get the MRI, as my onc told me it is the "gold standard" for this sort of thing. I would imagine too, that like in my situation you might be able to watch and wait for awhile, depending on how fast any growth seems to be. I've got my fingers crossed for you big time, Gigi. Please keep us posted with any updates.
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I'm not sure where to post this as the liquid biopsy discussion is not very active and is under "Not diagnosed with Recurrence or Metastases…."
I had the Strata tumor profiling test on a liver biopsy in Aug 2022. Strata is a very comprehesive test and I've had the targeted treaments that were identified. I've had progression four times since the test. The last progression per scan was early this month in the liver.
It's my understanding that tumor biology can change after progression. So after this recent progression I asked my MO for a liquid biopsy test. She responded back asking what the benefit would be. She has offered me a choice of one of three conventional chemos, or there might be a study, or else I'll stop treatment and start hospice.
Communiation with this doctor has been difficult for me at times, however since I'm coming to the end of any treatment options, changing doctors doesn't make much sense. Was I off the mark in my understanding to ask for a liquid biopsy?
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Weninwi-I don't think you were off the mark. Why don't you seek a second opinion, especially if you think that communication is not good with this doc? It's your life at stake.
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