Dr. Ruch called early this morning to tell me that my tumor marker is too high and he is prescribing Nexavar (sorafenib) to put the brakes on the tumor. This is a powerful chemo drug with various side effects which vary from patient to patient. He recommends this as the logical next treatment for my HCC, and I'm willing to give it a try. He now thinks that my ascites is caused by the cancer and not by the cirrhosis. This is an expensive drug, and I'm counting on it being really worth it :)
By slowing tumor growth and reducing the blood supply to the tumor, Nexavar may prevent the growth and spread of cancer. These processes can also be important to normal cells, so therapies like Nexavar may affect some normal cells as well.
