Newly Diagnosed with Esophageal SCC – What to Expect Next?

Posted by wicenhour @wicenhour, Oct 28, 2025

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus on October 10, 2025. My CT scan showed no other growths outside of a single volcano-shaped spot on my esophagus. I had my PET scan yesterday (October 27) and haven’t met with the oncologist yet (appointment is 10/29/25).

The surgical oncologist is recommending radiation five days a week and chemotherapy once a week for at least six weeks. He set up to have a port and GI feeding tube placed on 10/30/25. I’m trying to get a sense of what comes next and what to expect during treatment and recovery.

Any advice, insight, or personal experience would be really appreciated.

Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

deemold | @deemold | Nov 5, 2025

In reply to @ttacy "@deemold Did you have the surgery post all the treatments?" + (show)

@ttacy
I just had my esophagectomy on Monday this week. No feeding tube needed, did stomach pull-up for the new esophagus.
I am expecting to go home thur or Friday

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 9, 2025

@wicenhour, it's about since your appointment with the oncologist and other appointments. Any update? How are you doing?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 9, 2025

In reply to @tulsan "Hello I'm new to this rodeo too (port installed yesterday, first radiation therapy today, first chemo..." + (show)

@tulsan, yeah, we don't allow new members to post links right away. We do that to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly you're not a spammer. 🙂 Allow me to post the link to Al van der Beek's channel for you.
Esophagectomy- My Journey https://www.youtube.com/c/esophagectomymyjourney

@tulsan, how were the first sessions of radiation? Anything you wish you had known?