I have a friend fighting a glioblastoma x 2 years. Has now been told he has cirrhosis and hepatitis C. Receiving Avastin therapy.  Are these liver problems from therapy or were they underlying all the time and if so, shouldnt all of this been checked before going through 2 major brain surgeries and all the chem and radiation?
First, he has hepatitis C. So the hepatitis C may have cause the liver problems, not necessarily the nuroblastoma or the chemotherapy can be blamed for the liver issues. The infection is a strong risk factor for liver failure too. As for the surgery, usually a check-up is always performed before a big surgery. Chances are that his levels were normal then. In that case, a doctor cannot always predict if the failure will result in times to come. Besides, we have to take into account what is the most dangerous condition for the patient. Some hard decisions are usually taken according to what will benefit the patient most. Usually this is done in consultation with the family of the patient