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GE Junction Tumor continues to bleed, what is normal to expect?

Posted by darlener @darlener, Sep 2 10:28am

My 93yr old mother was diagnosed with GE junction tumor last fall and had started to spread to cardia of stomach. Too weak for surgery, she did have a month of radiation, a stent put in and does have a feeding tube. One month since the stent, has required two transfusions as she brings up blood with mucus and can be found in her tube and rectally. Three trips this week to ER but no GI intervention as they say and endoscopy may disrupt the stent and transfusions are the only options. Is bleeding to be expected and does anyone have similar experiences ?

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psjones | @psjones | Sep 2 1:45pm

My husband also has cancer at the GE Junction. When he was first diagnosed they were unable to complete the endoscopy because the tumor blocked the passage. After 28 rounds of radiation and 6 weeks of chemo the tumor had shrunk. He started a new regimen of FOLFOX, Keytruda, and Herceptin and the tumor shrank even more. Recently he had a UTI that led to sespsis and he started passing blood; he was throwing up, it was in his tube, and in his stools. After GI doctor performed a GED they were able to spray the tumor and several ulcers that had developed as a result of the chemo. The bleeding stopped but we were told that this was only a temporary fix and that in the future he would likely continue to need blood transfusions on an outpatient basis .

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1 reply
mrgvw | @mrgvw | Sep 3 8:45am

Congratulations to mom for such a long life. Since she's had this EC tumor at the GEJ for almost a year now, it appears we know what's coming, and I assume you are both prepared to make use of hospice care when the time comes.

Radiation is usually quite successful at controlling tumor bleeds. If the could enter the blood supply to the tumor, chemoembolization might work as well. Has the use of ramucirumab immuno been discussed, with taxol? I know many on this regimen as well since ramucirumab starves the tumor's blood supply. I'm shocked she actually got a stent as well as a feeding tube... at her age... she must be one strong healthy woman to tolerate all she's going thru. I assume she has a G tube installed. Well done mom!

Gary

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 15 8:37am

@darlener, how is your mom doing? Has her cancer team suggested further options to avoid having to go to ER? That is so exhausting.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 15 9:58am
In reply to @psjones "My husband also has cancer at the GE Junction. When he was first diagnosed they were..." + (show)
@psjones

My husband also has cancer at the GE Junction. When he was first diagnosed they were unable to complete the endoscopy because the tumor blocked the passage. After 28 rounds of radiation and 6 weeks of chemo the tumor had shrunk. He started a new regimen of FOLFOX, Keytruda, and Herceptin and the tumor shrank even more. Recently he had a UTI that led to sespsis and he started passing blood; he was throwing up, it was in his tube, and in his stools. After GI doctor performed a GED they were able to spray the tumor and several ulcers that had developed as a result of the chemo. The bleeding stopped but we were told that this was only a temporary fix and that in the future he would likely continue to need blood transfusions on an outpatient basis .

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@psjones, I can imagine that this was and is quite frightening for you and your husband. I'm glad his doctors were able to stop the bleeding. Knowing this is a temporary fix, what were you told to watch out for and what to do if you see signs of bleeding again? How are YOU doing?

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darlener | @darlener | Sep 17 10:33am
In reply to @colleenyoung "@darlener, how is your mom doing? Has her cancer team suggested further options to avoid having..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@darlener, how is your mom doing? Has her cancer team suggested further options to avoid having to go to ER? That is so exhausting.

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Unfortunately, I am sad to report, mom passed away. The tumor continued to bleed and there were limited options to control or know the severity. Thank you all for our kind words.

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2 replies
mrgvw | @mrgvw | Sep 18 7:24am
In reply to @darlener "Unfortunately, I am sad to report, mom passed away. The tumor continued to bleed and there..." + (show)
@darlener

Unfortunately, I am sad to report, mom passed away. The tumor continued to bleed and there were limited options to control or know the severity. Thank you all for our kind words.

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I am heartbroken... and just so sorry to hear that our EC has taken another. I am pleased that mom had such an incredibly long life. I know you must have so many wonderful memories. Please accept our sincere condolences... be well.

Gary

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relicmeister | @rselicmeister | Sep 19 12:15am
In reply to @darlener "Unfortunately, I am sad to report, mom passed away. The tumor continued to bleed and there..." + (show)
@darlener

Unfortunately, I am sad to report, mom passed away. The tumor continued to bleed and there were limited options to control or know the severity. Thank you all for our kind words.

Jump to this post

Truly sorry for the loss of your mom. Take comfort in the knowledge that she is no longer suffering. I wish you the best as you grieve.
Bob

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