Immunotherapy for Stage IVA SCCA of the middle esophagus

Posted by grac3 @grac3honolulu, Sep 23, 2023

Last June 2023 I was cleared from Espohageal CA squamous carcinoma stage 4 after 28 series of radiation and 5 series of chemotherapy. And now my tumor are cleared but my GI oncologist told me that I need to take immunotherapy due to my genes that has positive in braca I & II even though in endoscopy biopsy shows negative of cancer and also PET / CAT SCANS show unremarkable results but my oncologist said that the cancer still there but it’s hard to do the surgery due to the location of the tumor is close to my heart And now I’m eating and drinking back to normal but sometimes I have some food stuck in my esophagus.
I’m in 3rd doses in nivolumab, 1st dose of ipilimumab. So far I’m feeling better some days I’m feeling tired or fatigue after treatment.
My oncologist said that my recovery is a miracle because all the test was done after all my treatment was unremarkable results compared to first time I was diagnosed of cancer.
I’m just wondering if someone out there has experience of what I been through in this journey especially this immunotherapy that I’m getting. I’m still have pain or spams off and on. I’m on fentanyl patch but if pain gets worse especially during meals I take 5 mg of oxycodone.
Please give me some information or guidance of what to expect base on your experience or symptoms during this kind of treatment.
Thank you so much and God bless us all!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

We have a free Zoom call in 15 minutes (Sunday morning 9am Eastern)... if you'd like to chat about this... we know EVERYTHING! I'll come privately... much to discuss.

Gary,
Southern California

REPLY

Hi @grac3honolulu, that is great news that your scans are showing no evidence of disease following chemo and radiation. That is something to rejoice. It sounds like you felt like the news from your GI oncologist that you need further treatment really rained on your parade. That must have been a blow when you felt you were getting good news. It is common for stage 4 esophageal cancer to be treated with immunotherapy drugs such as nivolumab (Opdivo) or ipilimumab (Yervoy). This extra assurance to get all invisible cancer cells to continue your miracle.

@tharris6509 @suew4730 @zzonner @oh4318jm have experience with immunotherapy and may be able to offer thoughts about pain mangement and their experiences with immunotherapy.

Grace, are you able to eat well?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @grac3honolulu, that is great news that your scans are showing no evidence of disease following chemo and radiation. That is something to rejoice. It sounds like you felt like the news from your GI oncologist that you need further treatment really rained on your parade. That must have been a blow when you felt you were getting good news. It is common for stage 4 esophageal cancer to be treated with immunotherapy drugs such as nivolumab (Opdivo) or ipilimumab (Yervoy). This extra assurance to get all invisible cancer cells to continue your miracle.

@tharris6509 @suew4730 @zzonner @oh4318jm have experience with immunotherapy and may be able to offer thoughts about pain mangement and their experiences with immunotherapy.

Grace, are you able to eat well?

Jump to this post

Hello Colleen! Yes, I am able to eat regular foods now in small portions and every 2 weeks I’m getting my IV hydration.

REPLY
@grac3honolulu

Hello Colleen! Yes, I am able to eat regular foods now in small portions and every 2 weeks I’m getting my IV hydration.

Jump to this post

Hi gtac3,
If you have the energy, can you tell me a bit more about IV Hydration?

REPLY
@justtrust

Hi gtac3,
If you have the energy, can you tell me a bit more about IV Hydration?

Jump to this post

They are giving me 1 liter NS and 8mg IV zofran and pepcid
20mg IV given per treatment plan every 3x/ week and now 2x/week. I’m not drinking enough water and my body feel weak most of the time causes low BP once I’m dehydrated.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.