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Esophageal Cancer: Surgery Or Not?
I just completed my 8 Chemo and 28 radiation treatments with a follow up Pet Scan. My wife and I were excited with the images when compared to the 1st pet scan that showed cancer in the lower 3rd of the esophagus as well as in a couple of limpnodes located in the area. Our radiologist showed us the images and said it showed absolutely nothing now. We felt a EGD with a biopsy would be the next logical step but the surgeon who would be performing the surgery really wasn't receptive to it. She is probably the best in our area and performs a high volume of these surgeries annually. Her comment being "Even if the test comes back clear, the cancer returns 50 % of the time". So now I'm in the position of trying to make a decision to go with the surgery or not. I'm 70 years old, in good health. I'm just struggling with what I should do. I know it's not a easy surgery or recovery. I'm not afraid of the fight, I just don't know if I need to make it
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Here you go Clark... our twice-weekly Zoom calls never change, as follows:
Sundays, 9am Eastern
Wednesdays, 6pm Eastern
Here's the one-touch Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4550284795?pwd=UjBHQ0J2V1pOc21SOExTR2N1UXNpQT09
Gary
As I've posted before, I'll be 86 in a couple of months, my main reason for declining it...
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1 ReactionHello Gary,
I would be interested in your Zoom calls as I recently had an esophagectomy. Please send link when you can.
Thanks!
Clark
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1 ReactionCome see us on our twice-weekly Zoom calls... as Rick did. But understand we see each patient as their own unique case... taking EVERYTHING into consideration. We don't have an agenda... trying to talk you into surgery or not. But we have examples of everything on our calls. I believe right now our oldest patient who went to surgery was 81... maybe last Oct. Let me know if you'd like the Zoom link. Calls are Wednesdays at 6pm Eastern. And Sundays at 9am Eastern. Be well...
Gary
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1 ReactionHi Rick
So glad the surgery went so well. Reading all the Iver: Lewis
surgery’s many have complained about lots of repercussions and many would not do it. I’m going to have to make a decision in a few weeks about the surgery. I’m 78yrs and
don’t want 2yrs in recovery.
Not sure what I ‘m going to do.
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1 ReactionHi Tom. I apologize for my delay in replying.
My surgery went very well! Ivory
lewis minimally invasive. Dt Shanda Blackmon St Lukes Baylor in Houstan Texas. I thought I would feel as though I was mailed by a bear, but not the case at all. There was -is discomfort at the small incisions. Its 1 month now post surgery. Ive been able to function normally. I have slept alot but that is improving and I am going back to work full time 09/05/2025.
I went into surgery having been diagnosed as T2B. After surgery it was found my tumor did not pass through the mucosal layer and no lymph nodes were involved. I had anear total response to chemo and radiation . I will be receiving immunotherapy to suppress anything still floating around..
Btw, my hospital stay was 8days, 7 was in ICU due to heart arrhythmia that developed after surgery
What is your situation? I pray all is as good as it can be!
Rick
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1 ReactionHi Tom, Minimally invasive in this case refers only to the use of small incisions to enter (both) body cavities as opposed to larger open incisions. Once they’re in there there is nothing minimal about what is resected and rearranged. I’m 15 months post an Ivor Lewis procedure and, like others, feeling life is getting back pretty much to normal, albeit a new norm. I’m grateful to be alive to suffer the minor inconveniences resulting from the surgery. Best wishes to all. Geoff
I'm a 64 year old white male. I had the 4 rounds of chemo then surgery (Dec. 2,2025 removed1/2 my stomach and reworked my esophagus) then 3 more rounds of FLOT. The surgery left me with a 17" incision 10 day hospital stay, 3 chest tubes and a feeding tube. Went home with 2 chest tubes and feeding tube. I used my feeding for around 5 weeks that's when it got hard for me, eating way smaller portions of real food more often. Sounds easy but believe it's not at least for me. you can expect a major weight loss that I don't think will ever come back. sleeping elevated was a major try and see if that works or will this work or just buy a bed that does all that I tried to imitate. (buy the bed it will be life changing). With all that being said a very positive attitude is a prerequisite. My team got me through to this point and I will never be able to repay them for everything they have done for me. My A-Team (my wife and two daughters) got me up and back to work in 3-1/2 weeks. My Oncologist gave me the cancer survivor news 3 weeks ago. I'm now waiting to get my 6 months check in early September. Now after saying all this some not so good but Im alive and think surgery was the right choice for me.
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2 ReactionsHello Rick,
I'd be curious to know what your minimally invasive surgery was. The surgeon I consulted with was indicating, I believe, Ivor Lewis, which is billed as minimally invasive being it is robotic, but the procedure is all but that (in my opinion). A portion of the stomach is removed, the esophagus is resected almost in its entirety, and the remaining stomach is pulled up and attached to the remaining esophagus. The recovery is a 7 to 9 day stay in the hospital with a feeding tube and chest tube. Then home recovery can take up to six months or longer. Your surgery did not sound that complicated.
Tom
This makes me feel a bit better. My hubby is having this surgery next week and I’ve been very nervous.