Thank you so much for your replies. It seems that my mom's was virally induced since she doesn't drink or smoke. If that's the case, I find the information you've given very encouraging.

I have heard of Memorial Sloan Kettering and its reputation. But my mom's is a charity care patient at a NJ hospital. I'm not sure if we can afford the luxury of going to a new hospital. Thoughts on this aspect?

If directed to me also, I'd like to ask for rationale for a second opinion from Sloan--is that a second opinion on the type of treatment she is getting or diagnosis?