Esophagus cancer with other health issues

Posted by roger72 @roger72, Aug 11, 2023

I have stage 1 esophagus cancer. Not sure what treatment I will be having chemo, radiation, immunotherapy or resectioning. I have other health issues (diabetes, blood pressure, pacemaker with stents). The Dr says my heart pumping is 50% which may stop me from having surgery. The Dr meets with what they call a tumor board next week to go over options. Has anyone had experience with other health issues and esophagus cancer?

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Roger
I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer tumor at age 78 and the docs decided I was not a good candidate for surgery. I had 28 days of radiation and chemo and I am now cancer free so there is hope which ever way you go. Let us know what your docs decide?

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Thanks so much for your info it gives me encouragement. Where did you have this done?

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You are definitely in the beginning stages of all this mess. Your doctors will definitely have a lot to talk about. My husband has stage three esophageal cancer, but has no underlying conditions or disease processes, or so we thought. He was 57 and an April when we got the diagnosis, he started a strong regime of six weeks of chemotherapy, IV and 28 days of radiation to the chest. They are very specific where they pinpoint the laser beams to hit. The last week of that and one week of recovery or definitely hard for him, but then the upswing was so much better. He felt better every day and his stamina was increasing. He was able to drive and run errands. Only on one Vicodin a day for the esophagus pain. They planned his surgery for six weeks after the therapies. We started doing the work up with a cardio, stress, test, echocardiogram, etc. They had to do an angiogram because they found some thing on the stress test. that was three days ago. They did the angiogram, and they found that he had major coronary artery disease, including complete blockage of more than one blood vessel. We had no idea and no symptoms. just looking at him, the doctors were perplexed because he didn’t exhibit symptoms at all. It was a silent killer. The big artery of the heart is the one they called a “Widowmaker” that was completely occluded and has been for some time. Yesterday morning, he had a quadruple bypass. Thank God everything was done here at UCLA. The surgeon that is to perform. The esophagectomy has postponed it until he recovers, but she is still hopeful because it still can be in the window of time that they will do this surgery. Probably in 6 to 8 weeks. As long as everything goes well on his cardiac recovery, he will complete the third phase of his cancer recovery.
So, even though there may be some obstacles in health that may prevent following the regime the way it’s supposed to go, those obstacles may not hinder the plan altogether.
Take care and God Bless you!
Patti

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Thank you for your history. I hope our husband heals soon and that he proceeds with what is needed for his esophagus. Please let me know of his progress and what they will proceed with and his progress.

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Thanks for sharing your story. Hope things will continue to progress with your treatment.

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@dsh33782

Roger
I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer tumor at age 78 and the docs decided I was not a good candidate for surgery. I had 28 days of radiation and chemo and I am now cancer free so there is hope which ever way you go. Let us know what your docs decide?

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Omg, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer about 1 mo ago.. got him into Mayo last week, unfortunately he had a set back with cancer bleeding but am hopeful we can get him a temp trac and can go through radiation as not candidate for cancer

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My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and is current in Mayo ICU due to some cancer bleeding. The cancer is contained, but he does have other issues that does not make him a candidate for surgery. Right now being evaluated by radiation oncology to see if we can have him go thru a 2 week intensive radiation, probably one week in hospital, and if he does well, one week outpatient. Please get as much info esp from the specialists.. I’ve come across more the internists or ICU doctors that do not portray as positive a picture

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@klur

My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and is current in Mayo ICU due to some cancer bleeding. The cancer is contained, but he does have other issues that does not make him a candidate for surgery. Right now being evaluated by radiation oncology to see if we can have him go thru a 2 week intensive radiation, probably one week in hospital, and if he does well, one week outpatient. Please get as much info esp from the specialists.. I’ve come across more the internists or ICU doctors that do not portray as positive a picture

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Hope the bleeding can be stopped and you can get treatment for the cancer. Let us know how he is doing in ICU?

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Sep2 2023 will mark 1 year ago surgery to remove esophagus. , it been a long year and learning many things like eating and drinking over so hang in there it takes time . Around June I been able to eat and drink on a regularly basis , I found protein bars ready clean and boost my 2 favorites . I eat breakfast ,lunch and dinner with a snack when needed , eat lots of fruit and veggies more than i ever had . Hang in there

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