Mass found Suspected Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer squamous cell

Hi @tbkomparda
Your husband's case sounds a lot like mine. Just over a year ago I had a colonoscpy by my gastro doc because I was having trouble swallowing normally. He though he might just need to stretch my esophagus a little which happens. But he found a cancerous tumor in my lower esophagus and got me transferred to cancer docs at Moffitt in Tampa near where my wife and I live. They confirmed it was cancer and got me on chemo and radiation treatment. They decided not to do surgery. After 3 chemo treatments the tumor had shrunk 30% which was a very good sign. After 28 days of chemo and radiation, the tumor was gone and I could swallow normally again! However during treatment I had some side affects and ended up with feeding tube for several months to get enough protein and calories into me. I was very tired for quite a while, but am feeling good now and have regained some of the 20 pounds I lost. I would be happy to try and answer any questions you have about my experience with esophageal cancer?
Don

Hi Don,
Greatly appreciate your response Moffitt is supposed to be an excellent cancer center I would say my Husband has lost a good 20 lbs and like yourself very fatigued I am so happy to hear your doing well but thru a lot but no cancer journey is a walk in the park. I do have some questions thank you for offering. What chemo regime were you on? Were there different options? How often did you have the infusions? Did you start radiation after chemo was done? Do you know what stage/type/grade. Your story gives us hope

Hi @tbkomparda
I'm happy to answer questions as best as I can.

What chemo regime were you on?
I had 6 weeks of induction chemo fluorouracil via pump.
And I also had oxaliplatin every 2 weeks at same time.
Later I had 6 weeks of radiation 5 times a week
concurrently with chemo 5 days a week via pump.
Were there different options?
No I just went with their recommendations. I have
been very impressed staff and the results.
How often did you have the infusions?
I went in once a week and they gave me a pump that
delivered chemo for 5 days.
Did you start radiation after chemo was done?
I had 6 week of chemo only and then 6 weeks of
chemo and radiation 5 days a week.

Hope this helps. Let me know what other questions you have anytime.

Don

Don,
Thank you so much for all the information it's been a whirlwind after seeing the Oncologist we now have a CT scan, Pet Scan, and endoscopic ultrasound all scheduled in the next week the tumor is in the lower third of the esophagus and measures around 4mm they don't know at this point what stage and grade talked about chemo, radiation and surgery but will not know much more until all tests are completed.

Personally being a Stage 4 Throat Cancer Survivor. I woukd take him to A Caancer Treatment Center of America. Vanderbilt is 1 in Nashville Tn. They are great .

I had an upper GI scope last Thursday. The general surgeon came in told me that I had a malignancy in my esophagus. He then took a biopsy and told me he would get the results the next week (this week), but didn't schedule an appointment with him until January 30th. In many of the posts I've seen, the patient was immediately referred to an oncologist. I have not yet. Should I take the initiative and contact someone to get into an oncologist? I'm a little freaked out and it was a tough weekend and I feel like I should do something.

@mlyles
I had a similar situation with my gastro doc doing endoscopy and finding mass in my lower esophagus. He took a biopsy and it confirmed it was cancer. I live in the Tampabay Florida area so he transferred me to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa. I met with surgeon who decided I was not a good candidate for surgery at age 78 so then I met with chemo and radiation docs and started 28 radidation and chemo treatments. The tumor shrunk 30% after first 3 treatments and after 28 the tumor was gone. I had some side affects including caughing, being tired, and losing appetite. I was on feeding tube for a couple of months to help give me protein and calories. But the treatment worked. I'd be happy to try and answer any questions you may have.

Hello Don
If I may ask were you put on a feeding tube when initially diagnosed due to swallowing difficulties my Husband presently can swallow eat fine but has discomfort in mid abdomen and excruciating we’re going thru NW Chicago an accredited cancer center we had the CT Scan over the weekend mass is 2.5 cm it’s been a whirlwind of tests pet scan in a couple of days, next week endoscopy with CT to stage in process of setting up radiology consult and oncology surgeon consult. Was the radiology tough? So glad you’re in remission with stage 4 gives us hope. Thank you Tammy

Don, thank you for your reply. I am scheduled for an appointment today to go over the biopsy results. I am encouraged by your results and ready to move forward on this thing. I’m in NW Oklahoma/SW Kansas and there are no large hospitals near. There are oncologists from Wichita that travel out here a few days a week so I’m not even sure yet where I’ll receive treatment. I’ve had some family and friends encourage me to try to get into MD Anderson in Houston. I’m 58 and in good health (except for the obvious as far as I know) so I hope all options will be available.

My Husband had his routine Endoscopy/Colonoscopy also last week he was immediately referred the next day to an oncologist a day later he had a CT Scan tomorrow a Pet Scan and next week an endoscopy with CT to stage. Our center has a Patient Coordinator that scheduled all of them perhaps you can inquire with your center to speak with one.