Welcome, @mimz59
Is travel to Mayo Clinic in AZ, FL or MN possible for your dad? Here are the contact numbers mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I'm tagging @loli and @jeffk who can share more about cancer care for head and neck cancer at Mayo Clinic. @alpaca always offers great support and a virtual shoulder to lean on.

What treatment is currently being offered for your dad?

Hello @mimz59 I am sorry to hear that your father has this painful condition. I don't know much about caner of the esophagus as strictly speaking it does not come under head and neck cancer in New Zealand. However, from listening to talks by surgeons over the years I know that there are surgical solutions as well as chemo and radiation options. I believe that doctors will look at your dad's "performance status" not just his age. I really hope so and that you find some good treatment soon. I know what you mean about the relativity of age. I always thought I would be an old lady at 72 but find that I have just as much (if not more) energy as ever. Good luck to you and your dad.

I have worked in the medical field all of my life and it HAS to CHANGE.People are living longer!!! They are looking at his age.I have had to push for the few test that we have had done.The Dr.that we saw on Monday,repeated 7 times that my Dad is 90.So sad..But thank you for the support.I had to vent..

Thank you Colleen.Treatment so far,is none.Dr.on Monday,repeated 7 times about my Dad's age(90).My Dad has the body of a 70 year old.Very active and travels all of the time.Should be in Switzerland now,but he had to cancel the trip.I went through Glioblastoma with my Mom and it was fast and hard.I know that this is going to be really hard for him,but at least try something.And get him out of pain.As of yesterday,we have an appointment with another new Dr.at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.Have my fingers crossed,but if we get no answers,we will travel to Florida.Colleen,he had his first problem with this on July 8.Severe pain in upper part of chest and right side of stomach,after he had eaten.We were going to go to the ER,while getting ready it stopped.I thought it was his gallbladder,which,we have found some stones.I want to know the stage of the cancer.I have asked for a PET scan,maybe with this Dr.They say he was cancer at the top of his esophagus and the worst is the bottom of esophagus.I will take any info,suggestions and support groups.Thanks in advance.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma that threatened my speech and ability to eat and breath. I traveled the country and of the 7 surgeons I visited, Dr. Eric Moore at Mayo Rochester was the only one who was confident that he could remove the entire tumor and save my functionality which he ultimately did. I strongly urge you to make the journey and get another opinion.