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What happens during radiation for esophageal cancer?
My husband has stage 3 esophageal cancer diagnosed December of 2023. He began chemo in January of 2024 getting that treatment every other week for over 2 years now. Well now the cancer is slowing growing and affecting his swallowing. Food is getting stuck causing him to throw it back up. The doctor has decided to do radiation for the first time. I was wondering about what happens during radiation. Will his throat swell? I heard it would and there would be scaring. The doctor has mentioned this as well but I am a little worried about it closing up all the way! He said he would have to be on liquids eventually. I see a lot of your stories are chemo and radiation together and I was just wanting to hear about it first hand from someone going through it. Thank you for any insight you can give. he starts on March 23rd.
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@earle Sorry for the auto sub of "sense" for "since." I can easily believe the dropout from esophagitis. Mine also continued for months, with stricture and spasms, after completion, leading to much more tube feeding than I anticipated. BTW, I've also attended Mayo's for another condition, so I don't feel a total stranger, posting about MDA cancer treatment. I think comparisons are helpful...
@lionsfan Great info. Can I ask if it was difficult getting accepted as a patient into Mayo Clinic?
My city doesn't have the resources they do, and would be curious to know of your experience.
Did you have to get a hotel room for several weeks during treatment, travel back and forth, or do you live there?
Thank you!
@cottonsunflower Best of luck - sounds like you're a great support and advocate for him....I am blessed with the same with my wife!
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2 ReactionsThank you, it helps to have that support system.
@symmesm
I was very fortunate to get into Mayo Clinic. In my case, they responded very quickly when I applied for treatment. My insurance, Medicare Advantage with United Healthcare. During my first visit, I picked up a brochure on Hope Lodge. Hope Lodge, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, provides free housing during long term cancer treatment. My wife and I are an hour and a half from Mayo Rochester and we're accepted to Hope Lodge for a 35 day stay at no charge. We did make a $500 voluntary donation though. You stay in a private room, but share kitchen and eating areas with other patients. They also have TV and quiet areas there. Check out the website for more information. Best of luck to you.
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1 Reaction@lionsfan That is great to know, thank you!
It would be a ways off in the future for me ((fortunately), but good to have this knowledge beforehand.
Best to you!
@symmesm My local doc fumbled the referral for my GI issues to a larger specialist. Out of frustration we reached out to Mayo Jacksonville even though we live 500+ miles away. The process was smoother and quicker than if we had stayed local, and the care was exceptional. There are on-campus resources like Hope Lodge which offer residence for 30 cancer patients requiring treatment. Mayo has on-staff social workers who will work with you on placement, etc. You should at least check it out.
Well, today is his last radiation treatment. I am hoping they will return to his usual chemo after this so the nausea will subside. Hoping for positive progress moving forward.
I had esophagitis pain at night for the last four sessions. I developed a "sunburned" patch on my chest where most of the radiation entered. Other than than, I didn't really have any side effects...
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2 ReactionsMy husband was also diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer back in October of 2023, at the age of 76. He started a 6-week regimen of daily radiation treatments (except on weekends) that began the following January, along with chemo infusions scheduled for every two weeks. He didn't really have much swelling or difficulty swallowing while receiving radiation. During the six weeks, he was only able to receive two infusions due to some of his lab results. In my opinion, the radiation took more of a toll on his body than the chemo, which he actually tolerated fairly well. Radiation left him so weak....he didn't want to do anything and could barely get around. Whereas the radiation was supposed to be a precursor to surgery, in my husband's case, it made surgery basically a non-option.
Not only had the radiation ravaged his body causing him to be too weak for surgery, he was then found to have pulmonary fibrosis, which had not been previously diagnosed. The surgeon wouldn't touch him, saying it would be too risky.
After only the two rounds of chemo and three months allowing his body to recover somewhat from the radiation, he started on monthly immunotherapy infusions, which are still being continued. He gets a PET scan every 6 months and an endoscopy every 6 to 9 months. Hubby has basically had no side effects from the immunotherapy at all, with the exception of it causing his thyroid to out-of-whack, a quick fix with a daily thyroid med.
As of our last visit and infusion, earlier this week, the oncologist told us that if the results of the PET scan scheduled for the end of the month remains as good as they have been, he will be stopping the immunotherapy in the next month or two. Then we will just go for follow-ups and Labs. PET scans will continue on at least a six-month basis, and probably an annual endoscopy, unless a scan shows the need for something additional.
Needless to say, we are feeling blessed and hopeful. It's been a long, tough journey up to this point, and though we know it's not over, it's a bit easier walking the path these days. Hubby has even felt good enough to pick his golf clubs up again!
I hope your husband does as well with his treatments. Prayers for you both.
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