2 cm mass. Discovered by endoscopy

Its a personal decision. I didn’t have to do radiation because my cancer was less than 2 cm and surgery took all of it out.

Radiation and chemo are pretty heavy to deal with and so is surgery but surgery is pretty much 100% effective if cancer hasn’t spread out. Ask for a second opinion with a qualified doctor. Most importantly if you do get surgery choose best doctor and best hospital you can afford with your insurance.

Good luck

Ladybyrd
I also had tugmor discovered via endoscopy. I had chemo and radiation which removed the tumor without surgery. But it was rough for a while with coughing and spitting up flem. I ended up having a feeding tube for a couple of months. It was a real joy to get rid of the feeding tube and start eating normally again. Please let us know how you are proceeding?
Don

I'm in the without surgery group. My esophageal cancer was diagnosed Sept 2, 2025. I'm stage 4 so surgery is not curative or recommended for Stage 4 patients. I've had chemo only so far with excellent results and I'll also be 67 soon.
Has your cancer been staged yet? Do you know if you are eligible for surgery?

@dsh33782 can i please ask, did you lose your ability to swallow altogether? i am now on feeding tube, I can swallow but the mucas is so bad, it sits in my 'gullet' and cannot successfully go down into my stomach.

I've posted several times on this, if you want to look them up. I forewent surgery for several reasons - age (85), knowing the amount and quality of recovery from watching my ex-wife go through it, with my tumor contained within the esophagus and clear lymph nodes, it didn't seem to help my five-year survival odds. (At my age, there are good odds something else will get me first, so why pile the misery of the surgery on top of the other treatments?) At this point, my esophagus and regional lymph nodes are still free of cancer. My treatment terminated on 5/15/'26...

@carolynsopha
I did have difficulty swalling any food, but I could sip liquids.
The mucus was bad but it reduced eventually. How long have you had the feeding tube?
Don

@bob141
Hi there. I was diagnosed stage 4 and Mayo recommended chemo/radiation and an esophogectomy. I then had follow up immunotherapy. Not all cases are the same, nor are doctors' treatment plans.

@dsh33782 I have had the tube for 1 month, I try to sip water or coffee, but it can't get past the mucas. Even after I suction fluids just gets caught right in the bottom of my throat. I am hoping eventually I will be able to swallow again and lose the tube. Thank you very much for responding to me. I am on my own on this, my SLP cannot help and the waiting list in my area for an ENT is over 1 year.