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Does High Bilirubin Level Indicate Liver Failure?

Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015

Question: Does high bilirubin mean liver failing ?in cancer pt

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
High bilirubin level in cancer patient may indicate metastasis to liver.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

High bilirubin level in cancer patient may indicate metastasis to liver.
So,patient need proper clinical examination and further investigations.
It is important to know other parameters of liver function test like SGOT,SGPT,alkaline phosphatase level etc.

I suggest for ultrasound of abdomen.It can assess liver involvement due to cancer cells.
Further investigations can be done if needed.
Treatment depend upon findings.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (20 minutes later)

Already has liver mets . About 3 and largest is 8cm.

In hosp with bowel inflammation and fever following 3 rounds of chemo .on iv antibiotics and codine .

In last 1.5 weeks bilirubin is increasing as

12
19
12
31
51
74

That other readings are fine .

So what this mean exactly ?

Chemo
Showed a stable reasonse with
A 9 mm increase in liver met over 3 months and cea was decreasing .

Plus nausea and no appetite while
On hospital .

Confussed .

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Increasing bilirubin may be due to infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Since liver metastasis size is almost stable with CEA decreasing,increasing bilirubin may be due to some other reasons like infection etc.
Decreasing CEA is a good sign in cancer patient.
It is also important to assess primary tumour size etc.
Patient may need PET scan for proper assessment.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Primary tumor is gon as that was operated last year on colon .

However largest liver met is 8cm.

There are another 3 on liver .

But he's not eating , nausea etc very weak and fatigue .

No infection . Been ruled out by blood culture .

Can this be end stage cancer .?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Patient may need PET scan.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Physical deterioration may be due to residual tumour.PET scan can evaluate thoroughly.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

In metastic cancer can bilirubin alone fail the liver . It is increasing rapidly these were the readings /

12, 19, 12, 31, 51, 74, 85

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gradually increasing bilirubin level is not a good sign.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Gradually increasing bilirubin level is not a good sign in a cancer patient with metastasis.
Underlying cause should be investigated.Activity of residual tumour and effect of metastatic lesion in liver should be estimated.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Does rising bilirubin mean end stage ?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It may indicate failing liver(end stage).

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Gradually increasing bilirubin level may indicate failing liver(end stage).

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar