Hi

Slightly different scenario but my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to his liver back in January - only option was palliative chemotherapy.  We were told if the tumours didn't respond it could be as little as 8 months but if it was responsive we could be looking at up to 3 years.  He has since had 3 scans - after the first the tumours had reduced by 30% and we had another 20% shrinkage after the second scan (which the consultant was very surprised at).  His third scan showed no further shrinkage but this was to be expected.  We now continue with the chemo - not nice but he is able to work (he works for himself so can just take himself off for a rest if he needs it) and generally live an OK life.  For him the side effects aren't too bad.  We have had a few holidays and are looking to go further afield in December.  So in answer to your question I would definitely say it was worth a shot to give you some more time together.

Hi just reading this, my brother in law was diagnosed with the same thing yesterday stage 4 bowel spread to liver. They are offering chemo as they are saying that's all they can do. He's only 42 with an 8 year old daughter. Is there any hope? X x

Hi just reading this, my brother in law was diagnosed with the same thing yesterday stage 4 bowel spread to liver. They are offering chemo as they are saying that's all they can do. He's only 42 with an 8 year old daughter. Is there any hope? X x

I would just like to add our personal experiences after 2 years of treatments.

Palliative chemotherapy for Stage Bowel Cancer is not a cure, but it can reduce symtoms and potentially extend life.

That said I would be hesitent taking a first opinion from an Oncologist that the cancer is inoperable until you've seen a specialised Liver Surgeon with your scans to explore if surgury might be an option in future if the liver tumour respond -exceedingly- well to chemotherapy.

The Liver is the only organ of the body that can regenerate after almost 70% of it is reduced by surugry (assuming the Liver tumours have not advanced too far, which is a big if I know).

We went through Chemotherapy and Liver surgury, and while the Liver recovered fantastically however it wasnt utimelty successful - with extensive mets in liver, lungs and bones, so are on the same palliative care pathway, with at this point survival probably a year or less.

That doesnt mean trying for a longer pain-free survival and fitting in as many meaningful family experiences as possible isnt still a good goal..