Got the Confirmation Last Night

I too was diagnosed with ESCC in June (2nd) of this year. Squamous cell carcinoma. I am 73 years old and active. I have never smoked and have only drank a glass of wine at dinner for some ten years now with a change made to a Mediterranean diet. I have a family history of high cholesterol and mine was in the high 240's. It's now under 200, I had an EGD performed on 6/2 when, in the prior week my esophagus locked up and I could not get anything but liquids down and then barely, I have had Esophageal Dysphagia for about 40 years and was diagnosed with Achalasia in 2017. The prevailing theory is that it may have caused irritation to the lower esophagus over time by trapping food that stays in the esophagus too long. The tumor is located down in the lower esophagus about 3 cm long. The EGD exracted 2 liters of fluid and food particles with intention of doing a Botox injection to relieve the seized sphincter muscle (pretty common practice). That's when the tumor was discovered. I have been through multiple CT scans, a PET scan, multiple MRI's and a bone biopsy. All revealed no spread of the cancer so it is localized. I pray that they will find the same with your cancer as well. I have a JPEG feeding tube and am currently in my 4th week of Radiation therapy (5 days a week) and low dose Chemo Therapy (1 day a week). I can probably answer most questions you may have.

You may want to check out this study on the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) blog posted on April 22, 2025 by Neha J. Pancholi, PhD entitled New Treatment Strategies for Esophageal Cancer which looks promising. He references a study done by Lancet Oncology done in November which addresses the 5 year survival rate (74%) when foregoing surgery altogether verses opting for surgery with a survival rate of 71%. I believe a similar study was done in Netherlands called the SANO trial.

I've done Signatera tests for the past 4 years. Think I'm done with this beast... finally. Keep on kickin'!

Gary

I was in a similar position 7/8/25 when I got the news, except I used to smoke and I drank like a fish. But Ive also read processed foods, GERD, this that and the other.
In my opinion, doesn't really matter, fact is we have it, we take the steps to beat it.
For me, in the month since my biopsy came back positive Ive gotten in at Mayo, consult, bloodwork, Pet/CT, endoscopy, thoracic surgeon consult, radiation consult, J tube installation, just got back home (again) yesterday. I live 3.5 hours from Mayo, but I believe it's worth it over my local regional hospital and thankfully Mayo is in my insurance network.
Good luck, contact me if you want since we are a similar timeline. Attitude, humor and acceptance have worked wonders for me so far. -Trav

Thank you. Wow That’s a lot.
Test found mass in my esophagus/stomach last Thursday. Next Tuesday I have my PET scan and oncologist consult on the same day so she won’t have the results yet. Nutritionist consult Tuesday as well. I have a two week trip planned on a cruise in two weeks with my son who is headed to bootcsmp shortly. Do I cancel the trip? I’m waiting until Tuesday to determine.

You already have a j tube. May I ask why

I am in general a positive person. I work long days and love my work. I love my family and friends. I love being outside. My sons are now grown. I have immeasurable love for them and have so looked forward to each stage of parenthood. One now in the Navy and one entering the Army in 86 days. I’ve now known my finding for a week. I meet my oncologist on Tuesday. After reading thru this and learning thru experience providers online, I know this:

I have my faith in Jesus. I have a mass in my esophagus/top of stomach. After CT it shows nodules in liver, lungs, and lungs. Based on info I have thus far…it sounds as if I get a quick pass to Heaven.

I feel perfectly fine. My symptom has been a dry cough for several months. I’m supposed to be taking a cruise with my son in two weeks before he heads to bootcamp. Soooo, it’s travel across the country, then lots of travel for two weeks. If I didn’t know I had this I’d be going, no questions asked. But I also don’t know the quickness of circumstances and don’t want to put my son in a situation with me.

I know my departure date is not known. I haven’t talked to any doctor since the info from my colonoscopy and endoscopy so I have to wait until Tuesday for that. Tuesday is PET scan, Nutritionist, then Oncologist.

Any advice on my travel plans?

Yes I know you got the news like we all do. It’s hard no doubt but don’t go by data online to much misinformation and a lot of information that goes back 20yrs plus grouped all together. Now sounds to me like you’re still pretty young to give in or give up also your kids will be a great support system also. Next step talk to your oncologist when your treatments will start. Should be able to go on trip with your son. So stay positive please don’t give up. Wishing you well fellow esophageal cancer patient. Scott

I got the jtube because they were concerned with my weight loss. I generally avoid doctors so I ignored dysohagia for 6 months until it became worse, since January until early June I lost about 20 pounds and I was only 150 to begin with, it was at this point I knew something was wrong and sought treatment. A GI clinic was doing an endoscopy to dialate my esophogus and found the growth which they biopsied, gave me an endoscopic ultrasound a few days later and that's when they confirmed cancer. So I procrastinated when I shouldnt have.
I am glad I got the J tube, Im able to be at a weight gain level on my feed and it gets it out of the way before my body is about to get worn down, plus they were able to do a stomach wash, and some other prechemo, presurgery intel which dials in my treatment plan even more.
Your dr should tell you whether or not to cancel your trip, in my case I had to cancel a week long trip but at this point in my opinion, and the opinion of friends and family that have been down a similar road, everything stops. Right now your focus is your health and your loved ones. Everything else can wait.

Thank you. After results of Endoscopy, CT and PET scan, I met my oncologist and discovered I am Stafe 4b. Only option is chemo.