NetWellness Cancer

Elevated Labs

Steve Rudich MD, PhD, FACS — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:10:00 EST

Question: Today I received the results of some of my labs. I already was dx yrs ago w/ stage 4 chirrosis from hep c and non-drug induced autoimmune hep from Lupus. My abdominal mri this yr showed a bunch of stuff. spleenameglia,impacted gall stones, diverted veins, etc. As I had stated my labs showed; elevate . . .

Answer: I am afraid that your message is confusing. You must have liver disease. You state that you have cirrhosis from hepatitis C. The concern may be that you make have liver cancer, that is what the alpha fetoprotein means. I am not sure what you are asking. You need to see a liver specialist. You may be . . .

Ask an Expert: Steve Rudich MD, PhD, FACS, Cancer

Liposarcoma

Jeffrey Sussman MD — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:10:00 EST

Question: My grandad was diagnosed with Liposarcoma a year ago. He is 75 yrs. old and the tumors are now spreading and they are now in his lungs. What type of life expectancy do you think he has and what can he do to help make it better?

Answer: Life expectancy depends on how fast tumors are growing, the number of tumors and their exact location and his underlying health. In general though, likely measured in weeks to months rather than years. Depending on the number and extent of the tumors in his lungs, sur . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeffrey Sussman MD, Cancer

Post Hodgkins/Chemo Problems

Paula Silverman MD — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:10:00 EST

Question:

In 1995 I was diagnosed with stage IIB nodular schlerosing hodgkin`s lymphoma. I underwent 8 cycles of treatment with the AB-MOPP regimen. I skipped the recommended radiationas it was found I was pregnant. Over the years since, I have been found to have vulvular carcinoma, early stage which was s . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. You have a very complicated medical history. If you have any questions about the recommendations being made by your oncologist, please obtain a second opinion.

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Cancer

What Does `In Complete Remission` Mean?

Paula Silverman MD — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:08:00 EST

Question: My best friend had chemo and radiation for breast cancer. After she finished her treatments they did a bone scan and said she was "in complete remission." What does that mean? Does it mean that she doesn`t have cancer any more? Or does it mean she doesn`t need more treatment but she still . . .

Answer: The term 'in complete remission' means that there is no sign of cancer on scans/x-rays. It does not mean that the there is not more cancer; just that it cannot be seen. Sometimes 'complete remission' equals cure, and sometimes it does not. People in remission may still need additional treatments. It . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Cancer

Bilirubin in HCC

Julia Thornton MD — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:07:00 EST

Question: My father has HCC and bilirubin is now 14(surprisingly enough the other liver functions, although out of normal range, are nowhere as bad as the bili count).

I wanted to know what bili level would effect him mentally (until now although very tired and fatigued he is completely lucid) and at wha . . .

Answer: There really is no bilirubin cutoff level where a person's mental capacity is impaired. As the bilirubin level rises, you'll probably notice increasing jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and more fatigue. An isolated elevation in the bilirubin level may not accurately predict the mental statu . . .

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Cancer

Liver Cancer Operation

Steve Rudich MD, PhD, FACS — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:07:00 EST

Question: Is there anyone that will still operate on a HCC liver with 12.4 Bilirubin and portal vain obstruction? Or give any other treatment at that (theraspheres, tace, avastin etc.?)

Answer:

The answer to your question, sadly, is no. Anyone with a bilirubin as high as yours is at significant risk for liver failure and death if one proceeds with surgery. I do not know how much of your liver needs to be removed, however. In addition, portal vein thrombosis is another very serious risk . . .

Ask an Expert: Steve Rudich MD, PhD, FACS, Cancer

How Are Swollen Lymph Nodes and Cystadenoma?

NetWellness Staff . — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:07:00 EST

Question: I just recently had a pelvic ultrasound and the results were a large complex adnexal mass external of the ovaries. The ovaries wher not seen. The findings were cystadenoma carcinoma. I have been referred to a gynocolgist for a biopsy. I am a low income woman Livingston, TX and am having trouble find . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. On this site, NetWellness experts try to answer general questions about health. Only a health professional performing a thorough clinical exam is able to evaluate your symptoms.

The US Department of Health and Huma . . .

Ask an Expert: NetWellness Staff ., Cancer

PFO, FVL, TIA and Tamoxifen

Paula Silverman MD — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:07:00 EST

Question: In perusing your site I saw mention of a woman who had both a PFO and FVL. This is the case with my wife, 40-years-old, as we`ve discovered recently. She was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago today and after bilateral mastectomies, they put her on Tamoxifen. She had a TIA this past winter wh . . .

Answer:

This is a complex set of problems in a young woman. The Factor V Leiden predisposes to clotting. Tamoxifen also increases the risk of clotting. The Patent Foramen Ovale predisposes to stroke by allowing clots that form on the venous side of the circulation to cross to the arterial side and travel . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Cancer

Hodgkin`s Follow PET After Complete Remission

Paula Silverman MD — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:07:00 EST

Question:

My wife had Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage 4A, with a large mass in her mediastinum. After 6 courses of ABVD Chemotherapy, she achieved complete clinical remission 3 years ago. What is the standard follow-up procedure or frequency for PET scans given her history?

We had PET scans do . . .

Answer: It is not necessarily routine to follow with PET scans. The NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines for follow-up of patients with Hodgkin's disease after treatment suggest CT scans every 6-12 months during the years 2-5 after treatment. NC . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Cancer

Age For Cervical Cancer Vaccine?

NetWellness Staff . — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:05:00 EST

Question: I am a married 54 year old female. I would like to know if I am too old to get the Cervical Cancer Vaccine? I have heard it is only for those 24 years old and younger. Also heard it is not safe. Any advice is helpful.

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. A question similar to yours has been previously addressed. The links below will connect you to that information. NetWellness may also have some general information available that you can access through our