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Newly Diagnosed with Esophageal SCC – What to Expect Next?
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus on October 10, 2025. My CT scan showed no other growths outside of a single volcano-shaped spot on my esophagus. I had my PET scan yesterday (October 27) and haven’t met with the oncologist yet (appointment is 10/29/25).
The surgical oncologist is recommending radiation five days a week and chemotherapy once a week for at least six weeks. He set up to have a port and GI feeding tube placed on 10/30/25. I’m trying to get a sense of what comes next and what to expect during treatment and recovery.
Any advice, insight, or personal experience would be really appreciated.
Thank you.
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@tulsan, yeah, we don't allow new members to post links right away. We do that to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly you're not a spammer. 🙂 Allow me to post the link to Al van der Beek's channel for you.
Esophagectomy- My Journey https://www.youtube.com/c/esophagectomymyjourney
@tulsan, how were the first sessions of radiation? Anything you wish you had known?
@wicenhour, it's about since your appointment with the oncologist and other appointments. Any update? How are you doing?
@ttacy
I just had my esophagectomy on Monday this week. No feeding tube needed, did stomach pull-up for the new esophagus.
I am expecting to go home thur or Friday
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5 Reactions@deemold
Did you have the surgery post all the treatments?
Hello have been diagnosed and we’re just doing the preliminary stages of this to see what stage I am technically in.
I have a major concern about all of it, but a major concern for me is removing part of the esophagus when I already have acid reflux, and this is gonna potentially make it worse
Can I ask you your interpretation?
@tulsan thank you I will looknat this now!
Hello
I'm new to this rodeo too (port installed yesterday, first radiation therapy today, first chemo tomorrow), but may I suggest these two youtube channels:
Do a youtube search for Esophagectomy- My Journey
and
Al van der Beek
I tried including the links but broke the rules with my first post. Heh.
The first channel documents the highs/lows of chemo/radiation from day one through completion of the course for SCC throat cancer, and the second channel does the same with a blow-by-blow account of having an esophagectamy and living with it afterwards.
Both have helped me prepare and steel myself for what's coming. Maybe they'll help you as well.
Best of luck,
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4 ReactionsGood for him. Sounds like hes made terrific progress so far. Keep it up!
My husband is 68 years old and was diagnosed last February 2025. He joined a clinical trial for FOLFOX/FLOT add Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota
this consisted of chemotherapy, a rest Period, Radiation, rest period, and then he had surgery September 12 of 2025
Adjusting to eating smaller meals, more often throughout the day, sleeping, slightly elevated, and the other lifestyle changes that go along with it.
Fortunately, he did not need a feeding tube and he is maintaining his weight currently
Best of luck on your journey!
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2 ReactionsThanks for the advice. Going in the morning to have my port and feeding tube installed. The PET shows that is it is one spot in my esophagus and calling it stage 2 SCC.