3-year survival rate of those who have had esophagectomies at Mayo

Hi Paul-you’re doing great Paul and that’s inspiring ❤️ to all of us fighting Esophageal cancer or are survivors after treatment and surgery. Question-do you go back to Mayo Rochester yearly for your blood test, CT, and visit with your Oncologist?

Your situation is so similar to my husband's who is a 1.5 year survivor. He did have several complications and ended up hospitalized twice but he prevailed through it all. At a recent checkup, we had good results and are so pleased with everything Mayo has done for us. It's a great facility with caring Drs and staff.

Our greatest challenge is the same as you, the dietary issues. As with you, it's manageable but when you are older, habits are hard to change. He does try to follow the guidelines but the biggest help for us is sharing meals (minimizes overeating), trying to eat slower and chew the food well.

It was so good hearing you are a 4 year survival, congratulations! You are inspiring.

Thank you very much Barbara!!!!

Wow, Paul.....you have no idea how much hope you just gave me. My husband is 4 months post chemo/radiation & esophagectomy. Still learning the ropes. Thanks so much for taking the time to post your success!

Hi Lori,
I feel sad for you dealing with more than your share of health complications.
After surgery, I also purchased a tilt bed as advised, because we no longer have that little check valve to keep our food down. Also, I needed to stretch my esophagus after surgery because of swallowing issues and my oncologist noticed redness in my new esophagus so was prescribed Prilosec daily, and I adhere to at the least, no food 2 hours prior to going to bed. Reflux basically non-existent and I sleep well.
I wish you Gods healing power and strength as you continue to navigate your health issues.
Barbara

I have just had my 3 yr. anniversary since my esophagectomy @ Rochester. I'm doing actually really well considering. Dietary issues are also a learning curve. Acid reflux is the big problem. Bought me one of those fancy tilt beds and that does help.
Just a few weeks ago I returned back to Mayo to my trusty surgeon to repair what was 2 yrs. ago a small hernia in my diaphram as a result of the initial surgery (gastric bypass had to also be done). The hernia became a significant tear so they fixed that. Now I have a cyst on my pancreas / pancreatitis(VERY painful). And and and.......... cancer of the throat(caught in very early stages). Dealing with issues as they arise. God Bless us ALL!!!
Lori

I am joining this because of my sister. She is in progress of confirming a diagnosis. My concern is that the place she is being treated at the University of Michigan and was assigned to a 2nd year oncology fellow. She had screening for pancreatic cancer because of my cancer and a mass was found in her abdomen. . She had an upper endoscopy for the screening but the esophageal cancer was missed. After a PET scan showed an abnormality in the esophagus she has had a repeat endoscopy which found what appears to be a cancer of the esophagus. In her area, the U of M dominates medicine and it is hard to get a really expert opinion in the Detroit area. The closest place is Cleveland Clinic. Reachable by car in three hours and her husband can drive her there. If anyone has any experience in that area, love to hear from you

I was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer Dec of 2018 and subsequently had chemo, proton radiation followed by an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy April of 2019 at Mayo Clinic. I am a 4 year survivor since my surgery. Dietary issues are the issues that plague me most often but are manageable if I follow the guidelines for eating, which I don't sometimes.
I don't know what the survival statistics are for Mayo Clinic concerning esophageal cancer, but I would be interested in knowing what they are if anyone has the information. Perhaps the moderators of this site have an answer to that question.

My surgeon told me a month ago during my checkup that I have a 15% chance of cancer returning. He said that is a REALLY good percentage. Maybe your doctor can tell you too. Just a suggestion. Hang in there and stay positive!

You are asking a really great question. It's a question you can ask of any of the major cancer centers and see what kind of answers you come up with. Second opinions are really important for cancer patients. Sometimes the treatment you are getting might be just what is always being done. Being proactive and doing your research is really great and I wish you well with your quest for answers to difficult questions.