3 cm mass Esophageal Cancer, what to do now?

Posted by vwinn @vwinn, Nov 12, 2025

My husband I were in a car accident and when he was evaluated by a CT scan they found areas in the colon, liver and lung. During the colonoscopy they removed 2 polyps and did not feel they were cancer, but sent for testing and it is pending. They then did an endoscopy and found a 3 cm mass and said it was cancer. They are waiting for results to we still need to find out what they want to do or try to find out what is in the liver and on the lungs. We do not know if we should stay with this hospital in Daytona Beach FL or go to another treatment center. We live in Palm Coast FL, but do not know where to go. Any assistance or guidance would be helpful because our world was just put upside down and I am trying to help my husband because he is not in a good place right now.

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Profile picture for Lynn @cometsmom

I'm so sorry to hear your news. It's a shock to the mind and soul. My heart goes out to you and your husband. We're in CT so I'm not familiar with the Florida centers but I know others on the site live in Florida and I'm sure they'll chime in soon. I just wanted to reach out and say you've come to a good place for answers and support. Ask any questions you have. Chances are, someone else has had them too. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell EC in 2018, did 2.5 years of chemo and got to remission. After nearly 4 years, he had a recurrence but after more chemo and radiation, he is once again in remission. The docs told him when he was first diagnosed to get his affairs in order. They gave him months to a year. He's still here 7 years later! There is always reason for hope, even when it seems impossible. Take care and best of luck to you both

Lynn

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@cometsmom I had a doctor say the same thing, if I listened to her I would have lost out on still having a great life, live love pray, its better than wasting your life for some end date.

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Profile picture for jimatgardencitybeach @jimatgardencitybeach

I hope your husband is doing better, A great attitude and some prayer has really helped me. So I am stage 4 esophagus and before I started treatment I was losing 1/2 pound per day eventually going to mostly living off bottles of ensure. My doctor teated me with Folfox and Keytruda plus tons of prayers and love from family and friends, after 12 rounds of chemo and I think about 5 rounds of Keytruda at 62 I can still outwork people younger than me and I can eat again though Im on a bland diet because my tonged is kinda messed up, even the slightest seasoning hurts and alcohol of any kind burns like heck but Im still on this side of the grass. And simular to someone else story back around Easter I was told at least I have some time to get affairs in order (not my oncologist but a radiologist). Life is good please convince him not to waste a day worry about what he might loose but to thank the heavens above for all the awesome that is still there for him. Take care, Jim W.

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@jimatgardencitybeach
Hope you are doing good. He is doing a bit better after talking to customers from the shop he works at that have had cancer. He ironically had an appointment just after getting out of the hospital from the car accident with the sleep doctor (ENT) and she ordered a PET scan because Mayo still had not called us since his Primary had referred him. The PET reveled cancer in the liver and 2 spots on the lungs as well. We do have an appointment on Friday 12/12 with Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville. MD Anderson in TX is the Nations Cancer leader, so this might be a good move that Mayo never called us back. The Doctor we have an appointment with used to work at the TX location so that might be a good as well. Trying to look at the bright side to everything now.

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@vwinn, if you want to find out about insurance at Mayo Clinic, please contact them here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/billing-insurance/contact-us

To request an appointment, start here: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

How are you and your husband doing?

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@colleenyoung Thank you for asking. We have an appointment with Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville since Mayo never called.

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Profile picture for vwinn @vwinn

@jimatgardencitybeach
Hope you are doing good. He is doing a bit better after talking to customers from the shop he works at that have had cancer. He ironically had an appointment just after getting out of the hospital from the car accident with the sleep doctor (ENT) and she ordered a PET scan because Mayo still had not called us since his Primary had referred him. The PET reveled cancer in the liver and 2 spots on the lungs as well. We do have an appointment on Friday 12/12 with Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville. MD Anderson in TX is the Nations Cancer leader, so this might be a good move that Mayo never called us back. The Doctor we have an appointment with used to work at the TX location so that might be a good as well. Trying to look at the bright side to everything now.

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@vwinn Im also going to MD Anderson in January so I am also excited about what may happen, good luck god bless.

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Profile picture for jimatgardencitybeach @jimatgardencitybeach

@vwinn Im also going to MD Anderson in January so I am also excited about what may happen, good luck god bless.

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@jimatgardencitybeach Thanks! Good luck yourself. Have a good holiday.

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@vwinn, wishing you the best. Also in Flagler County. Yesterday, I made the decision to have my surgery at Mayo instead of Advent, luckily I have insurance and have been in the Mayo system for years. With Mayo's reputation I felt it was a no-brainer once things got rolling with the Mayo, which took a while. I originally was going w Advent, due to VA, on 100 and felt comfortable with them and my doctor.

3 months ago, PC Radiology found a 7cm distal mass in my espohagus. Currently have had 4 rounds of FLOT at Freytag, Mayo wants 2 more rounds of chemo before surgery, which is not scheduled yet. Do have Oncology and PET/CT scans ordered.

All the best.

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Profile picture for douglasgb @douglasgb

@vwinn, wishing you the best. Also in Flagler County. Yesterday, I made the decision to have my surgery at Mayo instead of Advent, luckily I have insurance and have been in the Mayo system for years. With Mayo's reputation I felt it was a no-brainer once things got rolling with the Mayo, which took a while. I originally was going w Advent, due to VA, on 100 and felt comfortable with them and my doctor.

3 months ago, PC Radiology found a 7cm distal mass in my espohagus. Currently have had 4 rounds of FLOT at Freytag, Mayo wants 2 more rounds of chemo before surgery, which is not scheduled yet. Do have Oncology and PET/CT scans ordered.

All the best.

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@douglasgb , Hope Mayo can help you. The doctor ordered more tests and is more concerned about his liver from the PET scan. We go back on Thursday to talk with him after the MRI today. Waiting for an appointment for a biopsy as well. That drive to Jacksonville is crazy from Palm Coast.
Hope the best for you at your appointments.

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