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Stage 4 esophageal cancer metastacized to lymph nodes

Posted by tvagas51 @tvagas51, Mar 4 2:40pm

Nov. of 2025 diagnosed stage four,esophageal cancer.Has spread to 3 nodes near bronchial tubes.Because of that,surgery was taken out of the future game plan,regardless if they are clear or not after next scan.
Getting by weekly flot /imfinzi infusions. Completed #4 today,scans scheduled after#6 to determine effectiveness of prior treatments.But as of today,was notified to receive treatments ,depending how I tolerate them,without surgery.
Thanks for listening.Good luck and prayers to all.

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

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wklapp | @wklapp | Mar 6 1:06pm

Hi Marcia
Sounds like you have a full plate. Sorry you’re going through this terrible journey. I just completed my 8th FLOT treatment and also my first immunotherapy not with chemo. I already had hypothyroidism and now my thyroid numbers are too high. Speaking with my endocrinologist I am increasing my synthroid medication and checking TSH in 6 weeks. I sympathize with how hard the chemo is and the side effects are crappy. But talk to your oncologist. Have them consult with a team if they have one. Power through and consider your discomfort over the disease progression. Terrible choices but I survived the first wave of chemo the grim surgery and the second phase of chemo. None of this is easy. Good luck and God speed.

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1 reply
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dc0l | @dc0l | Mar 6 1:19pm

Have been 'lurking' & listening here for a little - yes, the details are great. For me the best is the sharing: on first diagnosis everyone was saying 'get well, soon' - it made me feel sicker! Also, the tech is great - it is a battle; statistically I have 14-20 months of life expectancy - I could be an outlier aberration, and go either way.
Life is the best experience I've ever had.

All the best from The Land Down Under. dc0l

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2 replies
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maraca | @maraca | Mar 6 1:30pm

Hi again,
I just read a medical abstract that posits thyroid disturbance in immunotherapy patients bodes well and is correlated to a higher survival rate than with other cancer patients whose thyroid readings are ok.
Anyone know more? I also read that not much research has been done related to thyroid issues and chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Thanks!

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tvagas51 | @tvagas51 | Mar 6 3:08pm
In reply to @dc0l "Have been 'lurking' & listening here for a little - yes, the details are great. For..." + (show)
Profile picture for dc0l @dc0l

Have been 'lurking' & listening here for a little - yes, the details are great. For me the best is the sharing: on first diagnosis everyone was saying 'get well, soon' - it made me feel sicker! Also, the tech is great - it is a battle; statistically I have 14-20 months of life expectancy - I could be an outlier aberration, and go either way.
Life is the best experience I've ever had.

All the best from The Land Down Under. dc0l

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@dc0l

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tvagas51 | @tvagas51 | Mar 6 3:09pm

Prayers are with you,be as strong as possible.Cherish the days we have.hope to chat in the future

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tvagas51 | @tvagas51 | Mar 6 3:14pm
In reply to @maraca "@tvagas51 Hi everyone here. Like you, I have stage 4 esophageal (squamous cell) diagnosed a bit..." + (show)
Profile picture for maraca @maraca

@tvagas51
Hi everyone here.
Like you, I have stage 4 esophageal (squamous cell) diagnosed a bit earlier than tvagas, in October 2025. I have had effective radiation treatment (October-November) that appears to have eliminated my 5 cm. solid tumor.
Now awaiting my 8th FLOT infusion on Monday March 9, coupled with week #4 of Opdivo immunotherapy.

On March 25, I will have a third Petscan, my metastases in 3 places still, liver, shoulder bone, and several lymph nodes. So hoping those cancer-affected areas will have reduced!

Here's my question for you: Has anyone developed hyperthyroidism during the immunotherapy? Yesterday I learned via urgent blood tests my team did that I have this problem.
My fatigue and weakness got so bad I couldn't go up stairs or get out of the bath without a huge effort, and I was falling as I tried.
Still, despite the thyroid trouble, it looks like the team intends to do session #8 of FLOT plus Opdivo this coming Monday. My fatigue is terrible, the weakness such as I can hardly walk. Should I ask to stop the treatment till they do this next scan in 3 weeks?

I live alone with a somewhat challenging adult son who has schizophrenia and is not able to help me in certain regards.

Thanks much for your thoughts,

Marcia

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@maraca sorry about your recent news,sorry no suggestions here but prayers headed your way
.

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maraca | @maraca | Mar 6 6:38pm
In reply to @dc0l "Have been 'lurking' & listening here for a little - yes, the details are great. For..." + (show)
Profile picture for dc0l @dc0l

Have been 'lurking' & listening here for a little - yes, the details are great. For me the best is the sharing: on first diagnosis everyone was saying 'get well, soon' - it made me feel sicker! Also, the tech is great - it is a battle; statistically I have 14-20 months of life expectancy - I could be an outlier aberration, and go either way.
Life is the best experience I've ever had.

All the best from The Land Down Under. dc0l

Jump to this post

@dc0l
Thanks for "lurking," Aussie man!
Keep sharing as suits you too.
Marcia in San Francisco

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Profile picture for maraca
maraca | @maraca | Mar 6 6:45pm
In reply to @wklapp "Hi Marcia Sounds like you have a full plate. Sorry you’re going through this terrible journey...." + (show)
Profile picture for wklapp @wklapp

Hi Marcia
Sounds like you have a full plate. Sorry you’re going through this terrible journey. I just completed my 8th FLOT treatment and also my first immunotherapy not with chemo. I already had hypothyroidism and now my thyroid numbers are too high. Speaking with my endocrinologist I am increasing my synthroid medication and checking TSH in 6 weeks. I sympathize with how hard the chemo is and the side effects are crappy. But talk to your oncologist. Have them consult with a team if they have one. Power through and consider your discomfort over the disease progression. Terrible choices but I survived the first wave of chemo the grim surgery and the second phase of chemo. None of this is easy. Good luck and God speed.

Jump to this post

@wklapp
Thanks for the caring reply here, wklapp. It's such a hard process, and you had the surgery atop it all.
I'm just holding out till my March 25 scan, so hoping not authors an improvement!
Best wishes for your path ahead too.
Marcia

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Profile picture for deengirl
deengirl | @deengirl | Mar 7 7:07am
In reply to @maraca "@tvagas51 Hi everyone here. Like you, I have stage 4 esophageal (squamous cell) diagnosed a bit..." + (show)
Profile picture for maraca @maraca

@tvagas51
Hi everyone here.
Like you, I have stage 4 esophageal (squamous cell) diagnosed a bit earlier than tvagas, in October 2025. I have had effective radiation treatment (October-November) that appears to have eliminated my 5 cm. solid tumor.
Now awaiting my 8th FLOT infusion on Monday March 9, coupled with week #4 of Opdivo immunotherapy.

On March 25, I will have a third Petscan, my metastases in 3 places still, liver, shoulder bone, and several lymph nodes. So hoping those cancer-affected areas will have reduced!

Here's my question for you: Has anyone developed hyperthyroidism during the immunotherapy? Yesterday I learned via urgent blood tests my team did that I have this problem.
My fatigue and weakness got so bad I couldn't go up stairs or get out of the bath without a huge effort, and I was falling as I tried.
Still, despite the thyroid trouble, it looks like the team intends to do session #8 of FLOT plus Opdivo this coming Monday. My fatigue is terrible, the weakness such as I can hardly walk. Should I ask to stop the treatment till they do this next scan in 3 weeks?

I live alone with a somewhat challenging adult son who has schizophrenia and is not able to help me in certain regards.

Thanks much for your thoughts,

Marcia

Jump to this post

@maraca
My suggestion is to be upfront with your oncologist. Tell him/her everything you’re thinking and feeling about your condition. Nothing is off limits. I would also suggest regular sessions with a counselor/therapist ( there should be an oncology social worker you can talk to)about your living situation. A good friend can also be your advocate. A good support system is so helpful!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 16 7:54pm
In reply to @mead56 "Also was diagnosed stage 4 in November. I’ve had 6 treatments with FOLFOX 6. Scan after..." + (show)
Profile picture for mead56 @mead56

Also was diagnosed stage 4 in November. I’ve had 6 treatments with FOLFOX 6. Scan after 4 treatments showed a lot of shrinking. Next scan is early April and if it goes as well it is possible to get on maintenance. The worst side effects has been the fatigue.

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@mead56, welcome. The fatigue is hard. How do you manage it or pace yourself?

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