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What Does High Bilirubin Level When Suffering For Colon Cancer Indicate?
Question: What can too much bilirubin mean in a metastic colon cancer pt with liver metastases?
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Hope your father is improving each day and his fever is not there.
1. The main cause for increased bilirubin in a case of metastatic colon cancer is due to the proliferation of the cancer itself. In other words it means that the liver function is going towards decompensation.
2. It can also mean that there is some obstruction to the flow of bile in the biliary tract which is increasing bilirubin level.
3. Chemotherapy has a positive effect in those with increased bilirubin levels and provides a modest improvement in survival as noted in research studies.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Hope your father is improving each day and his fever is not there.
1. The main cause for increased bilirubin in a case of metastatic colon cancer is due to the proliferation of the cancer itself. In other words it means that the liver function is going towards decompensation.
2. It can also mean that there is some obstruction to the flow of bile in the biliary tract which is increasing bilirubin level.
3. Chemotherapy has a positive effect in those with increased bilirubin levels and provides a modest improvement in survival as noted in research studies.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi im glad u responded . We have been worried sick . The bowel inflammation etc is better and he's off antibiotics .
But his bilirubin rising too much. Now
Is 85.
It's been
12
19
13
31
51
74
85
Other liver tests are fine . We are now too worried . He's got a lot fatigue now as not been eating well and plus inflammation etc but bilirubin rising since the past 1 week . All since he been in hosp
But his bilirubin rising too much. Now
Is 85.
It's been
12
19
13
31
51
74
85
Other liver tests are fine . We are now too worried . He's got a lot fatigue now as not been eating well and plus inflammation etc but bilirubin rising since the past 1 week . All since he been in hosp
Brief Answer:
Is he getting the fourth cycle of chemotherapy?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I would like to know if chemotherapy is being continued or his rise in bilirubin is due to the infection and associated events.
2. Is he under treatment with lot of antibiotics and his fever still not responding
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Is he getting the fourth cycle of chemotherapy?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I would like to know if chemotherapy is being continued or his rise in bilirubin is due to the infection and associated events.
2. Is he under treatment with lot of antibiotics and his fever still not responding
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
If serum albumin is low and bilirubin is high then liver is getting damaged
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In a case of liver metastasis, if the patient shows a high serum bilirubin with low serum albumin then this indicates liver failure. This has been studied and specifically studied in patients having liver metastasis.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
If serum albumin is low and bilirubin is high then liver is getting damaged
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In a case of liver metastasis, if the patient shows a high serum bilirubin with low serum albumin then this indicates liver failure. This has been studied and specifically studied in patients having liver metastasis.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So is this bad now as it's rising and Hel feeling weak and appetite still bad ?
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The whole body is a machine with different organs functioning independently and together in harmony.
2. In this way the various organs require energy to function properly and this is obtained from the food we eat.
3. Not having an intake of required calories deprives the organs of energy. Some organs sustain their work capacity by trying to adjust to the energy level and this is called compensation.
4. After a certain periods, the organs might give up and this leads to decompensation and damage that might be irreversible.
5. The most important point is that the deterioration in organ functions has to be controlled before it goes to the irreversible stage. Right now there is still a balance maintained which can reverse some of the organ dysfunctions. Once the threshold is crossed then worsening occurs too fast to control it.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The whole body is a machine with different organs functioning independently and together in harmony.
2. In this way the various organs require energy to function properly and this is obtained from the food we eat.
3. Not having an intake of required calories deprives the organs of energy. Some organs sustain their work capacity by trying to adjust to the energy level and this is called compensation.
4. After a certain periods, the organs might give up and this leads to decompensation and damage that might be irreversible.
5. The most important point is that the deterioration in organ functions has to be controlled before it goes to the irreversible stage. Right now there is still a balance maintained which can reverse some of the organ dysfunctions. Once the threshold is crossed then worsening occurs too fast to control it.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
If he starts eating over the week end then he might survive for few months
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Survival beyond two years from the date of detection of liver metastasis in colon cancer is difficult.
2. Since his fever has disappeared, things seem to be improving and it is likely that his survival might be extended if he starts eating well now.
3. Last week I have discussed about the present two weeks which are important for his survival. If he is able to start eating over the weekend then he might survive for few more months.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
If he starts eating over the week end then he might survive for few months
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Survival beyond two years from the date of detection of liver metastasis in colon cancer is difficult.
2. Since his fever has disappeared, things seem to be improving and it is likely that his survival might be extended if he starts eating well now.
3. Last week I have discussed about the present two weeks which are important for his survival. If he is able to start eating over the weekend then he might survive for few more months.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I see survival for 12 months or so not possible right ?
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Till the month of April, even I would have agreed with you about 12 month survival following the start of chemotherapy.
2. Right now considering his loss of appetite, deterioration in condition because of the infection and inability to recover means that 6 months survival is an optimistic thought. With rising bilirubin levels, survival for two to three months is the average.
3. Since I am unable to assess your father clinically, it will be wrong on setting up a maximum possible survival. However I pray that his survival is extended as much possible.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Till the month of April, even I would have agreed with you about 12 month survival following the start of chemotherapy.
2. Right now considering his loss of appetite, deterioration in condition because of the infection and inability to recover means that 6 months survival is an optimistic thought. With rising bilirubin levels, survival for two to three months is the average.
3. Since I am unable to assess your father clinically, it will be wrong on setting up a maximum possible survival. However I pray that his survival is extended as much possible.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have attached the blood reports . Please advise . Today his bilirubin has dropped by 9 points. Y would it drop ?
Main issue is eating and weight loss so I don't know if all that has played a big part in everything
Main issue is eating and weight loss so I don't know if all that has played a big part in everything
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The blood reports show lymphocytes numbers have decreased and this is seen in many patients having colon cancer with metastasis with the initiation of chemotherapy. Other blood parameters are almost normal. He does not seem to have any serious infection.
2. Bilirubin level is a dynamic component and keeps changing with the bile generated and secreted in to the bowel. Dropping by 9 points if it is in 70 to 80 range does not make a big difference.
3. Eating and weight loss has played a major role in his health condition since May. The infection was also probably due to a combined effect of post chemotherapy and reduced dietary intake.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The blood reports show lymphocytes numbers have decreased and this is seen in many patients having colon cancer with metastasis with the initiation of chemotherapy. Other blood parameters are almost normal. He does not seem to have any serious infection.
2. Bilirubin level is a dynamic component and keeps changing with the bile generated and secreted in to the bowel. Dropping by 9 points if it is in 70 to 80 range does not make a big difference.
3. Eating and weight loss has played a major role in his health condition since May. The infection was also probably due to a combined effect of post chemotherapy and reduced dietary intake.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Please see rest reports.
Is bilirubin now starts to drop is that good ?
Could the coedine and antibiotics he took made it keep rising? He has stopped it now .
Is bilirubin now starts to drop is that good ?
Could the coedine and antibiotics he took made it keep rising? He has stopped it now .
Brief Answer:
Confirmation requires close monitoring and daily bilirubin estimation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The bilirubin reports are still not attached to have a look.
2. However as discussed in earlier reply, certain antibiotics and codeine might raise bilirubin.
3. The best way to confirm if medicines raised it then other liver function tests will also be raised. Since he has stopped codeine medicine and antibiotics therefore if the download trend continues thrn it can be due to medicines. Confirmation might be done by close monitoring and regular bilirubin level estimation over next few days.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Confirmation requires close monitoring and daily bilirubin estimation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The bilirubin reports are still not attached to have a look.
2. However as discussed in earlier reply, certain antibiotics and codeine might raise bilirubin.
3. The best way to confirm if medicines raised it then other liver function tests will also be raised. Since he has stopped codeine medicine and antibiotics therefore if the download trend continues thrn it can be due to medicines. Confirmation might be done by close monitoring and regular bilirubin level estimation over next few days.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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