liver cancer

Diseases & Conditions Hepatitis
1
Hi everyone. I am new to the list. My brother has advanced liver cancer (cholangularcellular); he was diagnosed in April and is under going chemotherapy in Austria , where he lives. Recently he has been hospitalized with terrible pain in the area of his liver. The doctors are having a difficult time controlling the pain. I had read that liver cells do not have pain receptors. Does anyone know what the pain could be caused by?
2

Welcome, Tish!

I've never heard that the liver has no pain receptors, so I did a little online searching.  (And asked my fiance, my personal expert.  tongue )

Any disease, disorder or condition that causes inflammation in the liver can cause pain.  That can be something as simple as mononucleosis or, as you know, as serious as cancer.

The problem is that most pain meds are processed through the liver and are, therefore, contraindicated in a patient with liver disease.  That's why it's so difficult to manage.

God Bless. Let us know how you both are doing and if there is any help we can provide.

DJ

Fiance had HCV, cirrhosis, ESLD, ascites, and portal hypertension. Was transplanted June 2004.  Now, on interferon and ribavirin. Hepatitis C is back.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
desertjules@healingwell.net

3
Thanks for your replies. I just got a text message on my cell phone today that they are giving Gerhard morphine now, and that he was actually pain free for part of the day. This week some time I need to sit down with my mother and tell her that the end of this dreadful disease is coming soon for her son. The doctors are giving him weeks now.He has been fighting like hell for his life since April. His wife will need to sit down with him this week also and tell him what the doctors have told her. As ill as he is, he still has hope.

It's great to hear that your fiancee is doing well with her transplanted liver. I not sure why, but Gerhard wasn't ever a candidate for one, even though his cancer hadn't spread to other organs. The distance and language barriers have made information gathering slow.
4

Tish,

I'm so sorry to hear that your brother isn't doing well.  The morphine will help; it gave Mark (my fiance) a great deal of relief from the pain.

We'll keep your family in our prayers.

Be sure to let us know how you are doing.  Is there anything we can do for you right now?

God Bless.

DJ

Fiance had HCV, cirrhosis, ESLD, ascites, and portal hypertension. Was transplanted June 2004.  Now, on interferon and ribavirin. Hepatitis C is back.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
desertjules@healingwell.net