Connect
Esophagectomy: What is life like Afterwards?
Hello, my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in March. His tumor is very small and isolated, thankfully! He has been a champ and has finished chemo and radiation. His esophagectomy is scheduled in a couple of weeks. He and the rest of my family are starting to feel the fear and reality of this procedure. My dad's not a big talker but I know he is scared. I would love to connect with others to learn about what life has been like after this surgery so I can help support my dad. I am also hoping to get him involved with some support groups with others who have experienced the surgery. It would be so beneficial for him to connect with others who have been through what he is going through. Any insight on post-surgery recovery and life would be very appreciated!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Answer to leadingham1
This is a difficult question to answer as we are not doctors and do not know the details about your dad.
Read, read, research then research some more. As a stage 2, reading this study might be of interest -
the SANO study conducted in the Netherlands.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(25)00027-0/abstract
Some more reading:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34191461/
I don't know that chemo alone suffices. Chemo AND radiation might be enough to avoid surgery.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@leadingham1 my husband was diagnosed with (GE juncture)esophageal cancer in 2024 at the age of 75. He had 4 rounds of FLoT followed by Ivor Lewis minimally invasive eaophagectomy then did 3 more rounds of FLOT post op. He was initially diagnosed with stage 2 but after the surgery pathology showed stage 1B.
It was a rough year with chemo and surgery.he had a small anastomosis leak while in the hospital and needed a pigtail chest drainage. I am an RN so I was able to take care of him post op. It was 24 hour round the clock with tube feedings. Crushing meds and insulin coverage but today he is eating just about everything. He has lost weight but maintaining it. He is out shoveling snow and going to the ymca. Just had a follow up CT and no signs of cancer. He dodged a bullet but followed advise and is now cancer free and doing great.
I hope your dad has the same outcome. We struggled with the idea of surgery but am glad he did it. We just said we have a rough year ahead but a year from now it will be just a bad memory and that’s how it worked out
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@leadingham1
Did your surgeon perform an endoscopy to determine if the tumor could be removed via an endoscopic procedure? Mayo Clinic did one for, but unfortunately my tumor was Stage 3 so I had the Ivor-Lewis esophogectomy.
@lionsfan they will be removing part of the lower esophagus and his stomach. The will stretch and connect so food can flow. It’s I believe gastric bypass surgery. Stage 2, but the risk are high of complications. My dad doesn’t want to do it. Now we are sure what to do?
@ollusam thank you, this is encouraging. Did they remove his stomach? I guess surgeon never gave a name if the procedure?
@ollusam thank you. I pray your husband continues to do well.
@leadingham1
It's definitely a difficult decision. For me, I was diagnosed Stage 3 actively trending to Stage 4. I was 66 and as a personal trainer, in great shape. Mayo strongly recommended the surgery as the best protocol for a cure. Each of us is different, but my recovery has been difficult. Despite that, I'd make the same decision again. Your Dad's going to have a different quality of life probably and it will take time to recover. It is a big change, but still very workable. I'd be happy to talk with you and share details if that would help. Too many details to cover in a post. Best wishes for you and your Dad.
@leadingham1 they removed part of his stomach and esophagus. Not the entire stomach and pulled the remaining stomach up. He is now 76 y/o will be 77 in May. He is doing remarkably well. Eats everything but in smaller portions.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@leadingham1 it was a Ivor-Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy . Both the lower part of esophagus and part of stomach were removed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC
My 73-year-old father was diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on Jan 1st. He is currently completing initial chemoradiation (23 sessions/40 Gy). Aside from an enlarged prostate causing nocturia (frequent nighttime urination), he is otherwise healthy with no history of hypertension or diabetes.
We are weighing two paths: an esophagectomy in 4-6 weeks versus definitive chemoradiation (continuing to 50+ Gy). Given his age and current health profile, what is the typical recovery outlook for a patient like him (Age : 73), and is the surgical risk generally preferred over the definitive radiation path for squamous cell cases?
Thanks,