Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 12/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I'd like to find out if this drug is suitable for the treatment of liver cancer. My brother is currently having chemo treatment at the curie institute in paris,the chemo has been suspended as the nodules on his liver have increased in size and number.I currently reside in australia and recently a relative who had bowel cancer was treated with aviston which reduced the the nodules on his liver but had minimum effect on the primary cancer in the bowl.I wish to forward information to my brother and would like to know by what name "Aviston" is marketed in france and if the use of this drug would be appropiate,for his cancer,I look forward to your response

My best regards
Annne-Marie Beriou

ANSWER: I do not know if Aviston is available in France and if so under what name - I'm a Swede living in Sweden. To be able to answer your question I also need to know what kind of liver cancer your brother has. Is it a primary liver cancer (originating in his liver) or did it start somewhere else and spread to his liver? If so where did it start and what kind of cancer is it?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My brothers primary cancer was in his left eye and diagnosed in 2003 and his eye was surgically removed that year,the secondary was diagnosed in his liver March 2007 at his annual check up. I do not know what type of cancer it is other than liver cancer,I will endeavour to find out and reply to you in due coarse.Many thanks for your prompt response.He is also being treated with cortisone tablets at present to reduce the size of his liver prior to blood tests this coming Wednesday 3/12/2008,I trust my reply has been helpful to you.
My best regards
Anne-Marie Beriou

ANSWER: Thanks! Unfdortunately I need to know what kind of tumour he had in his eye. That is very important.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The tumour in the eye was detected in 2003(melanome of the choroide of the right eye, had protontherapy, kept his eye followed every 6 monthsby an echographie of liver. End 2005, removal of the eye (due to pain, itchiness) In april 2008 3 nodules were detected in liver with project of operation!.Chemo in june, september (No result) The nodules were getting bigger (inflamed liver) so under treatment of cortisone at 100mg per day in capsules. He was losing weight(nil appetite) Weight loss 5kgs aprox. After taking cortispme he regain appetite and weight. In conclusion it's a melanome of the choroid with metastases to liver and not a cancer initial of the liver( not of course the same treatment). Hope this will be helpful to you. Looking forward for reply a.s.a.p> My best regards. Anne-Marie Beriou.

Answer
Ok, so it was - as I suspected - a melanoma that started in his eye but has spread to at least his liver. Unfortunately malignant melanomas are not very sensitive to conventional radiation therapy or chemotherapy. So I'm not surprised that there has been no response. Experiment that seem to be promising in immunotherapy of these tumors are going on but they are still VERY experimental. So unfortunately I do not have anything good to offer yet!