Looking for any experience or treatment with melanoma of the esophagus. My mother was diagnosed in Dec 2017 and is being treated with Pembro (Keytruda).
I'm also inviting @alpaca@adriennef@angelag@karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
My husband is currently on Herceptin for his esophageal cancer along with another chemo drug. His tumors have the HER2 markers so the Stanford doctors recommended this. This is his second round of chemo. The first round he had four strong treatments of chemo, then surgery to remove the cancer and remake the esophagus from using his stomach. Because of the scare tissue afterwords he had 6 dilations because his throat kept closing up. Then a stent was placed in his throat and it was removed because scare tissue was growing over it! During the course of this when it was removed his vocal folds went into spasms and are now paralyzed shut! He now has a trach. We were then sent to Stanford and they found within the scare tissue cancer was growing and had spread to lymphs and against his spine. This has been very frustrating for us as he still can’t even swallow water!!
So far we have not heard of Keytruda or has he used it.
My husband is currently on Herceptin for his esophageal cancer along with another chemo drug. His tumors have the HER2 markers so the Stanford doctors recommended this. This is his second round of chemo. The first round he had four strong treatments of chemo, then surgery to remove the cancer and remake the esophagus from using his stomach. Because of the scare tissue afterwords he had 6 dilations because his throat kept closing up. Then a stent was placed in his throat and it was removed because scare tissue was growing over it! During the course of this when it was removed his vocal folds went into spasms and are now paralyzed shut! He now has a trach. We were then sent to Stanford and they found within the scare tissue cancer was growing and had spread to lymphs and against his spine. This has been very frustrating for us as he still can’t even swallow water!!
So far we have not heard of Keytruda or has he used it.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's ordeal with this horrific disease. My husband was diagnosed stage 4 in August 2016. He was declared in complete remission in February 2017 but cancer was found again - thickening of stomach and 3 spots in liver. We are going to Yale on 2/21 to speak with an oncologist there about immunotherapy. The conventional way to treat this is with chemo and radiation which my husband may choose to do rather than the immunotherapy trial. It's most definitely a roller coaster ride. Prayers are with you.
My husband’s cancer was also diagnosed in August 2016 and it was staged at a 2, however never really heard too much about the staging process. After the surgery it was completely gone according to our doctor. Then it was August 2017 he was sent to Stanford and they found the additional. So he is in the chemo/herceptin treatment now. So he had one CT scan and it showed shrinkage of tumors. On the 23rd we go to Stanford to have his throat dilated so that hopefully he can swallow. I can’t imamgine he can’t swallow or talk. No immunotherapy is available for him at this time. My prayers go out to you both and yes it is a roller coaster ride! I never did like them to begin with. How is your husband’s spirit through all of this.
Prayers to you and your husband .
My husband’s cancer was also diagnosed in August 2016 and it was staged at a 2, however never really heard too much about the staging process. After the surgery it was completely gone according to our doctor. Then it was August 2017 he was sent to Stanford and they found the additional. So he is in the chemo/herceptin treatment now. So he had one CT scan and it showed shrinkage of tumors. On the 23rd we go to Stanford to have his throat dilated so that hopefully he can swallow. I can’t imamgine he can’t swallow or talk. No immunotherapy is available for him at this time. My prayers go out to you both and yes it is a roller coaster ride! I never did like them to begin with. How is your husband’s spirit through all of this.
Prayers to you and your husband .
Thank you for your prayers Karly. My husband is a very positive person - I'm the one who thinks of all the negatives and it drives him nuts. He is actually still working - commuting to New York City from Connecticut daily to his job. He is also HER 2+ and is infused with herceptin every 2 weeks along with a maintenance chemo. Chemo has been stopped however to get his body stronger for the immunotherapy drug should he decide to go for it -- he was very anemic and his oncologist thought it was from chemo. As a result he's eating more. He has a stent as well and it seems to be ok so far. He had malignant tumor in his cerebellum (brain) in late August 2017, was operated on at Yale then had radiation to clear anything that might have been missed. He was at work a week later. It was at that time his personal oncologist was contacted by the oncologist at Yale who said my husband might be a candidate for a trial which is starting now, i.e. 2018.
That's our story so far and I hope both our husbands continue well. I'm thrilled to hear your husband's CT scan showed the tumors shrinking. Is he on folfox plus herceptin? That's what put my husband into remission even though briefly. Fingers crossed Karly and positive thoughts and prayers - we'll get through this.
I'm also inviting @alpaca@adriennef@angelag@karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
My is 89 years old. She has had one treatment of Keytruda IV. Her second treatment is in a few days. The doctor said it is stage four with just one lymph node involvement. Unfortunately she is being treated for c-diff with flagyl and is quite nauseated and fatigued. She had lost a lot of weight and doesn’t have an appetite.
I am wondering about any other adjuvant therapies. She is too old for surgery and will unlikely agree to chemo.
She was healthy before this diagnosis which is why the treatment was offered.
Melanoma of the esophagus is very rare and I would like to find others who have had treatment with immunotherapy.
I'm also inviting @alpaca@adriennef@angelag@karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
I am so sorry to hear about the c-diff on top of an already difficult diagnosis! C-diff can be debilitating. While I don't have much experience with melanoma, I have heard great things about immunotherapy for melanoma. I am hopeful that your mother has a wonderful response. When I was treated with immunotherapy, I got really high fevers, but not much else as far as side effects. How often are her treatments? Does she suffer from pain when eating?
I'm also inviting @alpaca@adriennef@angelag@karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
She has only had one treatment and the second one was postponed secondary to weight loss and severe fatigue. She is unable to eat mainly due to nausea which hasn’t been successfully treated.
She doesn’t have pain when swallowing but can feel the food going down due to the restriction.
Would really like some advice on nausea medication. Also she can’t swallow pills so must be in liquid form.
I'm also inviting @alpaca@adriennef@angelag@karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
Has she tried Zofran and/or Compazine? Those are the go to meds that I have been on. Zofran melts in the mouth. I had compazine pills, but many meds come in liquid form. I would check with the doctor and pharmacist. Also, I’m not sure where you are located, but medical marijuana was a real lifesaver for me. It really helped with nausea and appetite. There is also a synthetic version that my doctor prescribed before medical marijuana was legal in my state. She has all my empathy though. I had c diff as I started chemo and it was so awful. I’m sorry that she has to deal with it right now. What has she tried already for nausea?
My Dad has just been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.He just turned 90 in July and on July 8 had terrible pain after eating and that is when everything started.My Dad has a body of a 70 year old.Travels all of the time and is very active.I need help,with finding a Dr.that will not look at him as 90...PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE!!!!!!!!!
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Welcome @canadiancottager
There are several members who have had treatment with Keytruda. See this discussion here:
- Keytruda https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/keytruda/
I'm also inviting @alpaca @adriennef @angelag @karly and @gaybinator into this discussion. CanadianCottager, we wait for others to join the discussion, can you tell us a bit more about you and your mom. Has she had surgery? How are you doing? How is she doing?
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1 ReactionMy husband is currently on Herceptin for his esophageal cancer along with another chemo drug. His tumors have the HER2 markers so the Stanford doctors recommended this. This is his second round of chemo. The first round he had four strong treatments of chemo, then surgery to remove the cancer and remake the esophagus from using his stomach. Because of the scare tissue afterwords he had 6 dilations because his throat kept closing up. Then a stent was placed in his throat and it was removed because scare tissue was growing over it! During the course of this when it was removed his vocal folds went into spasms and are now paralyzed shut! He now has a trach. We were then sent to Stanford and they found within the scare tissue cancer was growing and had spread to lymphs and against his spine. This has been very frustrating for us as he still can’t even swallow water!!
So far we have not heard of Keytruda or has he used it.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's ordeal with this horrific disease. My husband was diagnosed stage 4 in August 2016. He was declared in complete remission in February 2017 but cancer was found again - thickening of stomach and 3 spots in liver. We are going to Yale on 2/21 to speak with an oncologist there about immunotherapy. The conventional way to treat this is with chemo and radiation which my husband may choose to do rather than the immunotherapy trial. It's most definitely a roller coaster ride. Prayers are with you.
My husband’s cancer was also diagnosed in August 2016 and it was staged at a 2, however never really heard too much about the staging process. After the surgery it was completely gone according to our doctor. Then it was August 2017 he was sent to Stanford and they found the additional. So he is in the chemo/herceptin treatment now. So he had one CT scan and it showed shrinkage of tumors. On the 23rd we go to Stanford to have his throat dilated so that hopefully he can swallow. I can’t imamgine he can’t swallow or talk. No immunotherapy is available for him at this time. My prayers go out to you both and yes it is a roller coaster ride! I never did like them to begin with. How is your husband’s spirit through all of this.
Prayers to you and your husband .
Thank you for your prayers Karly. My husband is a very positive person - I'm the one who thinks of all the negatives and it drives him nuts. He is actually still working - commuting to New York City from Connecticut daily to his job. He is also HER 2+ and is infused with herceptin every 2 weeks along with a maintenance chemo. Chemo has been stopped however to get his body stronger for the immunotherapy drug should he decide to go for it -- he was very anemic and his oncologist thought it was from chemo. As a result he's eating more. He has a stent as well and it seems to be ok so far. He had malignant tumor in his cerebellum (brain) in late August 2017, was operated on at Yale then had radiation to clear anything that might have been missed. He was at work a week later. It was at that time his personal oncologist was contacted by the oncologist at Yale who said my husband might be a candidate for a trial which is starting now, i.e. 2018.
That's our story so far and I hope both our husbands continue well. I'm thrilled to hear your husband's CT scan showed the tumors shrinking. Is he on folfox plus herceptin? That's what put my husband into remission even though briefly. Fingers crossed Karly and positive thoughts and prayers - we'll get through this.
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3 ReactionsMy is 89 years old. She has had one treatment of Keytruda IV. Her second treatment is in a few days. The doctor said it is stage four with just one lymph node involvement. Unfortunately she is being treated for c-diff with flagyl and is quite nauseated and fatigued. She had lost a lot of weight and doesn’t have an appetite.
I am wondering about any other adjuvant therapies. She is too old for surgery and will unlikely agree to chemo.
She was healthy before this diagnosis which is why the treatment was offered.
Melanoma of the esophagus is very rare and I would like to find others who have had treatment with immunotherapy.
Hello @canadiancottager ! Welcome to Connect.
I am so sorry to hear about the c-diff on top of an already difficult diagnosis! C-diff can be debilitating. While I don't have much experience with melanoma, I have heard great things about immunotherapy for melanoma. I am hopeful that your mother has a wonderful response. When I was treated with immunotherapy, I got really high fevers, but not much else as far as side effects. How often are her treatments? Does she suffer from pain when eating?
She has only had one treatment and the second one was postponed secondary to weight loss and severe fatigue. She is unable to eat mainly due to nausea which hasn’t been successfully treated.
She doesn’t have pain when swallowing but can feel the food going down due to the restriction.
Would really like some advice on nausea medication. Also she can’t swallow pills so must be in liquid form.
Has she tried Zofran and/or Compazine? Those are the go to meds that I have been on. Zofran melts in the mouth. I had compazine pills, but many meds come in liquid form. I would check with the doctor and pharmacist. Also, I’m not sure where you are located, but medical marijuana was a real lifesaver for me. It really helped with nausea and appetite. There is also a synthetic version that my doctor prescribed before medical marijuana was legal in my state. She has all my empathy though. I had c diff as I started chemo and it was so awful. I’m sorry that she has to deal with it right now. What has she tried already for nausea?
My Dad has just been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.He just turned 90 in July and on July 8 had terrible pain after eating and that is when everything started.My Dad has a body of a 70 year old.Travels all of the time and is very active.I need help,with finding a Dr.that will not look at him as 90...PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE!!!!!!!!!