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Squamous cell EC recurrence: Got questions about chemoradiation
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: May 18 8:59am | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Happy Friday to everyone. My husband's treatment plan has been finalized for his recurrent ESCC. He's going to have radiation Monday through Friday and chemo once a week for six weeks with immunotherapy possibly afterwards. The combo is carboplatin and taxol. When he was initially dx in 2018 he had 2.5 years of chemo including having to wear the pump for 2 days (a different combination). No pump this time!
I'm worried about the radiation (he didn't have it the first time), and also have no clue about the immunotherapy. I'm hoping he'll be able to tolerate this better than the first go round where he had 3 changes to the regimen. He's in great spirits, six weeks is so much better because there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
Has anyone been on this regimen? How did you do?
Hope you are all doing well. Prayers for everyone Thanks for being here.
Lynn
Replies to "Happy Friday to everyone. My husband's treatment plan has been finalized for his recurrent ESCC. He's..."
I also meant to offer the tips shared in these related discussions:
- Radiation, not a candidate for surgery: What to expect?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-advised-that-my-79-year-old-dad-has-esophageal-cancer-a/
- My treatment journey with chemo and radiation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/2nd-round-chemo-and-radiation/
- A turn for the better: feeling better after radiation and chemo
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-turn-for-the-better/
You can find others using the group's search function https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/esophageal-cancer/?search=radiation#discussion-listview
After my recurrence of EC three years ago I had 25 radiation (proton) treatments and half a dozen chemo, including the pump, over a month at Mayo. After that I had two years of immunotherapy (Keytruda) before being cut off by insurance. It was most difficult about two weeks into radiation and two-three weeks after -- liquid and soft-foods, fatigue, nausea -- but not as bad as after my surgery five years earlier. Of course everyone responds differently to all treatments, but my experience has been positive.
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Hi @cometsmom, Lynn. I noticed that you had a couple of discussions going outlining the treatment plan and finalizing of the plan. I merged the discussions together to stay connected with members like @dsh33782 @chip30 @mrgvw @dannymac23 who are following your journey.
I see you've got questions (and concerns) about chemoradiation (especially radiation) and immunotherapy. I'm tagging additional members to join this discussion like @grac3honolulu @zzonner @dorenemonchil @henrysilverio12 @bb17 @pat888 @sjw6358 @pj03, who have experience with chemoradiation or immunotherapy or both.
Lynn, when does he start with chemo and radiation?