Melanoma of esophagus

Posted by canadiancottager @canadiancottager, Feb 18, 2018

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).

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

@mimz59

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, @mimz59
Is travel to Mayo Clinic in AZ, FL or MN possible for your dad? Here are the contact numbers mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I'm tagging @loli and @jeffk who can share more about cancer care for head and neck cancer at Mayo Clinic. @alpaca always offers great support and a virtual shoulder to lean on.

What treatment is currently being offered for your dad?

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@mimz59

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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Hello @mimz59 I am sorry to hear that your father has this painful condition. I don't know much about caner of the esophagus as strictly speaking it does not come under head and neck cancer in New Zealand. However, from listening to talks by surgeons over the years I know that there are surgical solutions as well as chemo and radiation options. I believe that doctors will look at your dad's "performance status" not just his age. I really hope so and that you find some good treatment soon. I know what you mean about the relativity of age. I always thought I would be an old lady at 72 but find that I have just as much (if not more) energy as ever. Good luck to you and your dad.

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@mimz59

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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I have worked in the medical field all of my life and it HAS to CHANGE.People are living longer!!! They are looking at his age.I have had to push for the few test that we have had done.The Dr.that we saw on Monday,repeated 7 times that my Dad is 90.So sad..But thank you for the support.I had to vent..

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@mimz59

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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Thank you Colleen.Treatment so far,is none.Dr.on Monday,repeated 7 times about my Dad's age(90).My Dad has the body of a 70 year old.Very active and travels all of the time.Should be in Switzerland now,but he had to cancel the trip.I went through Glioblastoma with my Mom and it was fast and hard.I know that this is going to be really hard for him,but at least try something.And get him out of pain.As of yesterday,we have an appointment with another new Dr.at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.Have my fingers crossed,but if we get no answers,we will travel to Florida.Colleen,he had his first problem with this on July 8.Severe pain in upper part of chest and right side of stomach,after he had eaten.We were going to go to the ER,while getting ready it stopped.I thought it was his gallbladder,which,we have found some stones.I want to know the stage of the cancer.I have asked for a PET scan,maybe with this Dr.They say he was cancer at the top of his esophagus and the worst is the bottom of esophagus.I will take any info,suggestions and support groups.Thanks in advance.

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I know very little about this kind of cancer; but your father requires treatment, no matter what his age is. My mother is a hundred, and we would do everything and anything to keep her healthy. I highly recommend Mayo Clinic. My sister has had excellent care for her jaw cancer in Arizona.

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Thanks so much for your input ..

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@mimz59

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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I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma that threatened my speech and ability to eat and breath. I traveled the country and of the 7 surgeons I visited, Dr. Eric Moore at Mayo Rochester was the only one who was confident that he could remove the entire tumor and save my functionality which he ultimately did. I strongly urge you to make the journey and get another opinion.

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@karly

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 .

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I was just reading over what you wrote about your husband and was wondering how things are going? My husband’s cancer to the top portion of his thighs. He recently finished 25 rounds of radiation and at the end of this month we will get further details. He is still on the herceptin and folfox it is amazing to me how the cancer can spread when you are being treated with chemo. He still has not been able to swallow or eat anything now for a year.

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