Esophageal Cancer after Bariatric Surgery

@snickers124, welcome. I also added your question to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss support group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss/).

This must be a blow to hear that you have esophageal cancer. Luckily there are treatment options. Some people have surgery, others only chemo and radiation. I'm tagging fellow members like @sjw6358 @davidwrenn @sclaiborn @manz @dave640 @cbnova @lori57216 @puprluvr @dsh33782 and many others who can share their experiences.

Snickers, it sounds like your treatment plan is to start with radiation and chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and then consider surgery if necessary. Did I get that right? Do you know the stage of the cancer?

@snickers124 Welcome. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last August when a cancerous tumor was found in my lower esophagus. The docs decided to start with chemo, and after 3 treatments, the tumor has shrunk 40%. I have since had 28 treatments of radiation and chemo, and am hoping for a report that the cancer is now gone following endoscopy and PET scan next week. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about my experience. Let me know if I can help answer questions about side affects etc?

Hi Coleen Stage 3 at the junction of Esophagus and Pouch of Gastric Bypass stomach. Already had 29 radiation. I. Conjunction with 3 Chemo. Have Video with Steven Bowers In Jacksonville on Wednesday the 3rd for second opinion on Surgery options.
Snickers124

What stage is your cancer, and do you plan on surgeries if tumor isn’t gone ? Also, was any of your stomach involved ? Good luck on your scans 🙏

I was stage 4 with tumor in esophagus and several local lymph nodes. Today I completed PET scan that showed the tumor was gone and no remaining cancer in lymph nodes. I go back in 3 months for another endoscopy and PET scan as a checkup but no further treatment is planned. Whaoo!!!

We’re you ever on a feeding tube while you healed ?

Yes, I got a feeding tube in October and had it removed Feb. 6. I used it for several months while I could not swallow whole food.

That’s kinda what I figured. This is one of the reasons I’ve not committed to surgery until now.

That’s fantastic news. I do hope it’s gone for good. Best wishes for a healthy future.

Hi Snickers, I had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 2017. I had a history of Barretts Esophagus for 30+ years with monitoring every 2 years. I had no other medical problems to complicate matters.
I was diagnosed in November2022 with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Stage 3. I had 28 radiation TX and 5 rounds of Chemo and on April 6,,2023 I had an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. I will admit the surgery and 10 day hospital stay was no day at the beach however I had an excellent outcome with a "complete pathological response" Meaning the combined surgery and therapies worked.. It is not an easy choice to make and I suggest you consider a major medical center for your surgery.
Yes the "j" tube is annoying but tolerable.
The surgeon and I both feel that the weight loss surgery was not a factor in my diagnosis.