089: Don Melillo survived liver cancer, but his only life-saving option was a full liver transplant.

Don Melillo of West Chester, Ohio, was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2012.  At that time, he was told the only way his life could be saved was with a full liver transplant.  He is happy to report that today there are other, less-invasive paths to liver cancer survivorship.    It was in 2011 that Don began experiencing continuous stomach pains.  He was seen by a gastroenterologist numerous tests and procedures in an attempt to find out what was wrong with Don's stomach.  Then one night in November 2011, he was in bed he was awakened by an acute pain in his stomach.  He waited until 5:00 in the morning, woke up his wife and said he needed to be taken to the hospital.  The GI doctor said he would run more tests and in February 2012, Don Melillo was diagnosed with liver cancer.  It seemed like good news when they told me my tumor was small.  The oncologist said one option could be to partition off the bad section of the liver, but that couldn't happen because of where the cancer was.  He said my cancer was on hepatic artery on my liver, which is the main artery that brings blood to the liver.  That's why Don's only option was a full liver transplant.  These days, Don says, it is much easier for surgeons to partition off a bad section of a liver and remove only that.   Don ended up getting a chemoembolization, whose purpose is to shrink the tumor by putting some radioactive materials into it so that it doesn't grow bigger. That procedure, said the doctor, had to be done before the full liver transplant.    Once the transplant was done, Don stressed over wondering when he went to bed if he would wake up the next morning.  That said, Don felt grateful to receive a full transplant because in 2012 he learned that 3,000 patients died while waiting  for a liver transplant.    After  the transplant, Don's doctor told him he was pretty sure they had gotten all of the cancer.  Don said that was something he would believe when his scans finished years later.  Finally, he was told he was cancer free.  Thrilled, Don and his wife went out for a nice dinner.   Don says physically he can do whatever he wants.  He can mow the lawn, walk ten miles or go boat racing.  Don and his wife go on at least one cruise a year.   In terms of increased treatment options, Don Melillo says in 2012, they weren't using livers that had Hepatitis B or C, but now they can because both can be cured.  There was a time when they couldn't use livers from those with drug habits, but now they can.  He says medicine is changing by the day and this can be very exciting for those diagnosed with liver cancer.   By way of advice, Don says to stay positive, rely on your support people, don't be afraid to ask questions and at all times, be your own advocate.   Additional Resources:   Support Group:   American Liver Foundation: www.liverfoundation.org