My husband of 64 yrs old has gallbladder cancer in its end stage and has spread to the liver, he has being doing very well since surgery on March 16, 2010. The surgery was and open and close situation, there was nothing the doctors could do. Its only now that his liver enzymes are significantly elevated, he has refused chemo treatment. This pass week end he has been stomach sick and very fatigued .  At the time he was given 6 months without chemo. Despite of how well he has been doing. What how fast can this thing downgrade???
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Sorry to hear about your husband who is having advanced stage gall bladder cancer. This cancer is difficult to treat and doing surgery extends survival. Since there is spread to liver therefore he is having stage 4 cancer. Doctors might have suggested chemotherapy to stabilize the disease progress and control it. However, since he has refused chemotherapy, it is possible that his disease has progressed in uncontrolled way and spread to the liver. The expected survival in case of stage 4 gall bladder cancer is 2 years with good CAE and recommended treatment. Since chemotherapy was not given therefore the survival in your husband might be reduced from 6 months to a year. He must be under a lot of physical pain and please discuss with pain relief doctor and make him comfortable. Please do not worry.