How are people with liver mets doing?
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@micmel exbrnxgrl's quick demise was such a shock. As you know, she had been NED for 13 years on AI's alone. She had difficulty dealing with the side effects from the AI's so with her doctor's encouragement, she went off of them and on no treatment whatsoever for about 18 months. She was being monitored but all of a sudden the cancer blew up. A year ago she was still substitute teaching several days/week. Then her back hurt and they discovered that the cancer had spread. She couldn't tolerate Ibrance/Faslodex so they switched her to chemo. Chemo was a literal nightmare for her, so she went on hospice and died last summer. She seemed to be at peace with all that had happened and was glad she had a good 13 year run.
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😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
She and I always talked about how I was on ibrance. She wasn’t. I thought that was amazing. Rip beautiful friend …. So sad.
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Hi ladies, hope you’re all doing well.
After my most recent PET/CT showed a new liver lesion, I underwent a biopsy (segment 7). It was technically difficult due to location, fatty liver (likely from long-term Verzenio use), and my iodine allergy, so sedation was kept minimal because of breathing coordination.
Both liquid and tissue biopsy showed no actionable mutations. I currently have a single liver lesion measuring 1.8 cm.
The plan is liver ablation on Feb 13. I received my first Faslodex injection yesterday and will be starting Everolimus next week.
I’d really appreciate any insight from those who have gone through:
Liver ablation (especially recovery and pain management)
Faslodex and/or Everolimus experiences
Any practical tips you found helpful
One specific question: how manageable is the post-ablation recovery? Is it realistic to downplay it as a “flu-like” illness for a short time?For personal reasons, I’m hoping to keep this very low-key at home. I need the recovery to look like a short, flu-like illness rather than cancer treatment, especially for my kids.I also have a practical concern about tumor seeding related to both biopsy and ablation. I understand the risk is considered low, but I’d appreciate hearing any experiences or data you’re aware of.
Thank you in advance for any guidance or shared experiences.
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@ailurophile I have no experience with liver ablation. I was on Faslodex for a number of years. I didn't like it but tolerated the shots just fine. Make sure the nurses push the med real slow. It should take a couple of minutes for each shot. I didn't have any bad SEs other than the usual fatigue. Everolimus and I didn't get along well so I was only on it for a short time, but everyone reacts differently. I just wanted to respond to let you know you were heard. Best of luck with your new plan. I hope it all works well for you.
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@ailurophile , I am sorry you have to go through this but are you getting real surgery (ablation) or SBRT or similar radiation to the spot? Liver is a very large and well-recovering organ, so recoveries in both cases should be okay. As for SBRT recovery should be easier/quicker though, as it is not an invasive procedure. Please write us how it all goes and many hugs,
Saulius
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@bsandra
Thank you for replying. It will be ablation.
At the moment, I am two weeks post liver biopsy and my liver enzymes are quite elevated. I’m hoping they come down to normal or at least lower levels by the time of the procedure so it won’t need to be postponed.
I will keep everyone updated regarding the ablation.2 -
I had a single liver mts in 2017. After 6 months of exemestan (which at that time worked on sing vertebra lession) and liver lession litttle bit grew I had ablation. They were able to do it laparoscopicaly (it was 2.8 cm big) and the recovery was very fast. I exercised yoga after 1 month. Next 8 years - I had liver clean (couple bone progressions) up to November 2025 when 8 new small lessions appeared. So for me ablation was the best thing for my liver st that time.
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@maaaki
My tumor was 1.8 cm in segment 7, in a tricky location close to the diaphragm and lung. (Grew 30% more when I was waiting for the ablation. So probably 2.3 cm or so)The ablation is done and I’m now 12 days post-procedure. My doctor said it was successful.
I’ve had three Faslodex injections two weeks apart and now continuing monthly, and I’m on day 3 of Afinitor. I’m feeling good — especially after reading your story and seeing that someone could stay liver-clear for eight years. That really gave me hope, so thank you for sharing.
Do you mind if I ask what your next treatment plan is now?
Also, did you follow any particular lifestyle, diet, supplements, or exercise routine during those years that you feel helped keep things stable? I’d really appreciate hearing what worked for you.1 -
airulophile. It is great that your resection went well. I excercise and do a lot of nordic walking and try to ear healthy but also sweets and anything I want. At the beginning I was very strict but I think my disease was just slow growing. During that 8 year time I had couple progressions on bones - all treated with SBRT and change of different hormonal treatments as well two years of lynparza since I have Brca2 Vus mutation. In december when my liver mets reapeared they are now more agressive than the last time. I tried Enhertu for Her2low-but did not work at all. And this week I started paclitaxel. I am very gratefull for 8 great years though.
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@maaaki , eight liver-clear years after ablation is really something. Thank you for being honest about the whole arc — the good stretch and what’s happening now. We’re thinking of you as you get started on paclitaxel and hoping it treats you gently, and very effectively!!
@ailurophile , so glad to hear your ablation went well and that you’re recovering smoothly! It makes total sense to look for what might help long-term. As @maaaki ’s story shows, a lot of this comes down to how each person’s cancer behaves, and it’s often less about doing everything perfectly and more about staying flexible as things change. Please keep us posted!
Really appreciate the way you’re lifting each other up here. xoxox
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@maaaki
Thank you so much for sharing your journey — it really means a lot to hear your strength and honesty. Eight good years is truly something meaningful, and it says so much about your resilience and how well you’ve navigated all of this. I’m really hoping paclitaxel treats you gently and brings good results. Sending you warmth, strength, and many more good moments ahead 🤍
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Someone posted this elsewhere, and I thought it might be of interest:
https://wgntv.com/news/medical-watch/new-electric-pulse-therapy-gives-hope-to-cancer-patients/
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@eleanora - Thank you so very much for this. I've got desktop problems right now and am having to do everything on my phone for now. At this point I don't know how to access the link from my phone. I tap on it and nothing happens. Maybe I can write it down and enter it in Google ( will try that later today). I'm making a list of things I'm having trouble with and plan to take it to the phone store later this week, to ask for help. If googling the address by itself doesn't work, I'll add this to the troubleshooting list I'm going to take to the phone store. I'm just so technologically challenged and am just not used to doing much more on my phone, than phone calls. Oh well, I'll figure these things out one way or another in time. Hope you are having a good morning!
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I have had liver progression with my latest scan and am looking at third line therapy options.
Any ideas?
I have been on first line CDK 4/6, and second line PARP for a BRCA mutation. Now I am considering what is next. I want to stay on orals for as long as possible.
Throw out some next options……..
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I’m so sorry to hear about the progression in your liver. After my recent progression, my oncologist started me on Afinitor and Faslodex. I also had a liver microwave ablation in mid-February, and began Afinitor about two weeks later.
I’ll be having scans in May to see how things are working, so I’m still in that waiting phase. I should also mention that I don’t have any known mutations, so your oncologist will be the best person to determine what’s most appropriate for your specific case.
Wishing you the very best. My heart is with you—moving on to new treatments is never easy.0 -
ailurophile— I am researching next options. I am considering Afinitor and Faslodex. Or maybe revisiting a CDK 4/6 inhibitor with Faslodex.
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So my MO mentioned ablation as an option for me. There used to be a Thread on here about those that did ablation or Y90. That Thread has not been active for a while.
Ailurophile above mentioned ablation. How did that go for you, the actual procedure, any SE or complications? Anyone else reading on here do an ablation procedure? I wonder what percentage with liver mets do local procedures, or do most just change systemic treatment?
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Candy-678
Histrotripsy is FDA approved for MBC liver mets. I tried it without success but it might work for you? The radiologist said it works best on people with only one met in the liver but they can treat up to 3. My insurance even covered it! I had zero SEs other than what came with the anesthesia.
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perky2020- I do not know anything about histrotripsy. I will have to read about it. You said it didn't work with you- explain more. You had progression again, or what?
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Dear @candy-678 , how big is the progression? If in a few areas only, I'd consider local treatment: cryo-ablation, SBRT? Or is it more systemic progression? Saulius
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bsandra- 1 tumor in liver 1.4cm is active. I don't know SUV of it on the PET as I have not seen PET results yet. I have bone mets too, but they are metabolic quiet on PET.
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@ candy-678
I sent you a PM, but I thought I’d also post some information about my ablation in case anyone has questions.
From what I went through, ablation was overall pretty manageable. The discomfort didn’t really start right away—it showed up about 36 hours after the procedure, once the sedation fully wore off.
Pain can vary depending on the tumor’s location. If it’s near the lung or diaphragm, activities like deep breathing, coughing, or even hiccups can cause some discomfort. In my case, it was still manageable with some meds and not unbearable.
It’s important to have someone available to pick you up from the hospital, and I would strongly recommend having someone stay with you for at least 2 nights—3 nights if possible. It really helps with comfort and support during recovery.
If stronger pain medications are prescribed, it’s better to take them on schedule rather than waiting for the pain to build. Also, starting a stool softener early is helpful to prevent constipation.
In my case, I had a single tumor under 4 cm, which made me a suitable candidate for ablation. I was also told that if additional tumors are identified during the procedure, they can often be treated at the same time, since authorization typically covers the procedure itself rather than a specific number of tumors. That said, factors like fatty liver can sometimes make imaging a bit more challenging, but it still worked out well in my situation.
Procedure is outpatient and mine started at 8:00 am and I was released by noon.
Happy to answer any questions 🤍
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Yesterday I had my liver biopsy due to a new progression. The IR commented that the lesion was "fragmented". He took 5 attempts/passes to get enough tissue to do all the testing.
Does anyone know what "fragmented" means in this context? I am going to ask my MO when I meet with him, but I just wondered if anyone on here has had an experience like that. I read that fragmented means the tissue does not adhere together well when getting a core sample. I guess it breaks apart? I wonder what that signifies? And would that exclude me from future ablation procedures?
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Dear @candy-678 - it is really hard sometimes to know what these IR say:/ "Fragmented" could mean it is "diffuse" but that says nothing if it is worse or better. Let's say there's a possibility of it dying, m? I mean… biopsy should answer how many cells are active there. Have you already got those biopsy results? Hugs, Saulius
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bsandra- I don't understand your post. We know it is not dying, as it grew in size on the MRI and is metabolically active on the PET, thus progression and need for the biopsy. The full biopsy results are pending— Foundation One testing.
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