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Newly diagnosed and really confused: Surgery vs Chemo + Radiation
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: Mar 6 9:22pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
@dsh33782 Hi Don, it’s so encouraging to hear your scans are clear! My father (73) was diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on Jan 1st. He’s finishing up his initial chemoradiation (23 sessions/40 Gy) and we’re at a crossroads.
The doctors have given us two choices:
Esophagectomy (surgery) in 4-6 weeks.
Definitive Chemoradiation (continuing to 30 sessions/50+ Gy) with no surgery.
Since you went the non-surgical route, how has your recovery and quality of life been? Any long-term side effects from the higher radiation dose, and are you able to eat comfortably now? We’d love to hear your perspective as we weigh these options.
Thanks
Replies to "@dsh33782 Hi Don, it’s so encouraging to hear your scans are clear! My father (73) was..."
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@manish28
I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the fall of 2022. The tumor in the lower third of my esophagus made it necessary for me to have a feeding tube. I received 6 weeks of induction chemo which reduced the tumor by 40%. In January 2023 I began 35 days of radiation concurrently with chemo. I wore a chemo pump 5 days a week. Since then my scans of esophagus have been cancer free and I have no trouble eating.
I have heard that esophageal surgery success depends on the location of the tumor. In my case the chemo and radiation worked very well. Now at age 81 life is good.
I wish the best for your father.
Don