Skip to content

Special chemo for liver metastases?

Page last modified on: September 19, 2008
Question from Janie: What special chemotherapy is there for women with liver metastases?
Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: Treatment decisions for any type of metastases (tumor that has spread away from the breast and the nodes) are based on several factors. Those are: previous treatment, your liver function (which can be determined with routine blood tests), whether the tumor is hormone-receptor-positive, and your overall health. These all play a role in a choice of chemotherapy. Hormone therapy is not necessarily eliminated as an option if your tumor has the hormone receptors.

In general, chemotherapy for liver involvement from breast cancer is given like the chapters of a book. In other words, we use one drug as long as it works and as long as you're tolerating it. If or when that drug stops working, we try another drug. The goal overall, however, is to make you feel as good as possible. New drugs are being developed all the time. A drug that was not available to you six months ago may be available now.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2004, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Chemotherapy Updates. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about advances in chemotherapy treatment: different types of drugs and regimens, how to reduce or eliminate unpleasant side effects, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.