Very rare cancer for my dad

Good morning everyone

My dad, 75, was diagnosed yesterday with hepatic metastasis stemming from a meningioma that was treated with chemo 2 years ago. The last MRI 6 months ago showed no progression of the meningioma, in fact, it had even decreased a bit without further treatment, the doctors were happy to assume it was only a few scar tissues left from the initial site (it couldn't be operated).

The doctors from the oncology clinic are a bit baffled, they know of extracranial metastasis of a meningioma, but because it is really rare they have no experience of it. We are only certain of one thing, it's that it cannot be operated for the time being. They have started an aggressive chemo of 4 sessions, before we can see if operation is possible.

I can only find scientific papers on the subject, and I try not to look at sites about secondary liver cancer, the prognosis are too bleak, and they usually mention cases of secondary liver cancer from well known primary sites such as breast, colon, etc.

I'm a bit nervous that the doctors are actually 'shooting blind'. I guess chemo is more or less the go to for a large number of cancers, so it is worth a try. I just hope it won't kill him :-(

I'm not too sure what I'm looking for here, to to be honest. I find it hard to talk to my loved ones. My husband lost his mum to cancer last year. My best friend lost both parents to cancer. I don't want to upset them. I don't want to talk to other friends, for some reasons, I am afraid of the sympathy or concerns it may bring. It feels easier to talk to strangers, if you excuse me for saying so...

  • Hi Babouchka,

    I'm sorry to read about what's going on with your dad at the moment. I hope you're getting on OK although I can certainly imagine this is all worrying.

    It's important to talk to others so I'm glad you came here to do so. I can understand your reasons for not wanting to talk to those around you. We're always here on this forum for support and it's a very understanding community of people - so do use it as much as you'd like to speak to others or simply to write things down.

    If you'd like to discuss anything with our nurses about your dad or the treatment, you can reach them on 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5 - in case you'd like to talk things through.

    Wishing you all the best and look after yourself,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator