Re: cancer

[Guest guest]

>

> melanie(mo)

> i have heard you talk about tumor markings before in your posts. my

> boyfriend chuck was just told that he has abnormal narrowing and

attypical cells

> that they think will turn to cancer. they said it is not cancer

right now but

> she is highly suspicous of it. is this the same thing that you

are talking

> about? he has advanced psc and is listed but she told us to not

to wait any

> longer we need to find a live donor...........he was approved for

that two

> months ago they day they found out his dad had psc and

liver/pancreatic

> cancer. so here is my question.... did they give you any idea how

long after

> finding these precancerous cells you have before they turn to

cancer. dr says if

> this turns to cancer he won't be able to get transplanted at all.

any

> input you or anyone else has would be greatly appreciated

> thanks sally...............shadowsac@...

>

Sally

I thought since no one else seems to be going to reply to you, I would

try to add something. The language used by some doctors can be quite

frightening when it is not meant to be. Abnormal narrowing is what we

all hear when we have PSC. Not sure about the atypical cells she

mentions but usually a blood test called CH19-9 is taken. This is

what is often referred to as a cancer marker, but in PSC, does not

necessarily indicate the presence of cancer. My tests have ranged

between 41 to 189. Normal is less than 37.

Most doctors will also tell you they are concerned about you

developing cancer - I think the likelyhood is about 9% for bile duct

cancer, but that does not mean that they think you (in particular) are

at more risk than other PSC sufferers. Rather that this is one of the

risks of having this disease.

I'm sure other people on this site with better medical knowledge could

advise you on other cancer markers. I just wanted to say don't panic

or be more concerned than needbe. Your anxiety will be communicated

to your boyfriend and will not help him. He needs your support and

clear concise information.

Best wishes in your quest for a live donor.

Norma