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Earlier initial symptom of Esophageal Cancer?
EC literature almost universally cites as a reason for the common severity of this disease as its lack of early detection. By the time symptoms manifest themselves the tumors are entrenched, making treatment more complicated at best. I recently had a recollection which possibly sheds a little light on this issue and I'd welcome input from anyone who may have had a similar experience. I had always traced my first awareness of what was diagnosed as stage 3 adenocarcinoma to a "catch" in my swallow in mid-December, 2024. However, my wife noted that several months earlier I had commented that my many-decades old morning mug of coffee habit had declined and ultimately ended because "it no longer tasted good." I'm curious if this change in perception was an early sign of my disease. Parenthetically, and perhaps totally coincidentally, we both recalled that more than 4 decades ago my wife's initial perceived symptom of her first pregnancy was her fairly sudden aversion to her morning cup of Joe as well. Hardly a likely medical advance, but anyone else have a similar event?
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I had the stretch procedure and my symptoms are back, now I’m afraid it can be cancerous…
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1 ReactionVLF
I hope you can get doc to schedule endoscopy to see what is going on?
Don
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1 ReactionMe too , very scary… have you heard about Rick Simpson oil.. I am afraid to do chemo or radiation… I seen my mother deteriorate with treatment
Everyone has different reactions to chemotherapy, but I do know the advances made in anti-nausea meds has been significant. Personally, I was on a clinical trial of Folfox 5 and only had slight symptoms of tiredness and tingling. Otherwise, it was very tolerable and highly successful. I had an esophagectomy on November 1st and now am on Optdivo immunotherapy. Again, very minor side effects. Wishing you well.
I just had an Esophagectomy in march. Did they get all of your cancer out? The doctors said that they were able to get all my cancer out, and no chemo or radiation was needed. I was just wondering, did they get all of your cancer out? I was never put on any medication as of yet.
Yes, except for some micro cells in the tumor. Otherwise, there was no evidence of cancer in the lymph nodes. The immunotherapy therapy provides additional protection against recurrence.
Thanks, I was just wondering because none of my doctors have put me on any medication after my surgery. Which I was very surprised. I will be seeing my doctor soon and I’ll be asking questions. I thank you for your feedback.
This is a great question. For the year preceding my diagnosis, I had what I called food malaise. Really not interested in eating and foods tasted different. My husband and I discussed this at the time, but did not connect it to cancer. My first symptom was several months later and was only when I drank a soda. I had a tingling sensation at 28cm-right where the cancer was found. (behind my sternum) When I first went to the gastroenterologist with this concern-I had to wait 2 months for the appointment, then they booked my endoscope 4 months out. That is 6 months of waiting. They should have known better. I certainly wish I had. I would have kept calling drs. to get an endoscope sooner. I have been repeatedly disappointed with some of my medical care throughout this diagnosis, but at the same time I depend on them to help me. That is the conundrum! So yes...weird tasting food...loss of interest in food. YES to both. Unfortunately, this discussion is happening privately. It is not like breast cancer where everyone knows about symptoms and early detection. How to get the word out? Where are the advocates of this disease?