Esophageal Cancer: Surgery Or Not?

What is your husband... stage 1a... 1b? Or did you mean stage 2 (certainly not stage 11)? But yes... is it OK to just do treatments and forgo esophagectomy? Only if a complete pathological response is seen. But even then... he must remain closely monitored for many years, because it usually comes back. If he was a true stage 1 they'd still recommend straight to surgery. But initial staging is tricky... and not always accurate (whereas post-op pathology gives a more accurate staging... even though still not perfect). Wishing you both the best.

Gary

My husband who will be 76 in a few weeks was dx with adenocarcinoma of GE juncture. He completed 4 rounds of FLOT chemo followed by Ivor Lewis surgery. He has since had 3 more FLOT rounds of chemo. He is eating much better now. He has lost a lot of weight but is starting to regain some strength and appetite. It’s a long process but things are going well now.

My spouse is dx with Stage 11 esophageal cancer lower 1/3. PET scan shows it is localized. We saw sx and he suggests Neoadjuvant Chemo then Ivor Lewis sx. My husband is a healthy 70 year old but is weighing option of just proceeding with Chemo/Radiation and no Sx. Very stressful decision.

So after speaking with an oncologist the suggestion was for chemo prior to and after surgery to diminish the risk of cancer cells spreading. It will start in one week. Hopefully he tolerates the chemo well and can have the surgery in December. Thank you for your response. Such a stressful period

@ollusam, I can understand your concern about delaying surgery for fear of further spread. Keep in mind that chemo and radiation prior to surgery are treatments that also help stop the spread. By shrinking the tumor prior to surgery, your cancer team may feel that the surgery will be more successful.

It sounds like you have more questions to ask in order to make the decision that is right for your husband and they you can have confidence in the treatment he is getting. I would ask questions like:
- Why do you recommend chemo and radiation before surgery?
- I'm concerned about waiting and fear the cancer will spread if surgery isn't done right away. If surgery is done before chemo and radiation, will the cancer continue to grow?
- What are the risks and benefits of each treatment approach?

@ollusam, has your husband started treatment? How are you doing?

Yes he had both. Never sick just fatigued. Ask if chemo, to get an extra bag of fluids. It will keep from getting dehydrated.

Im 48 oesohgeal cancer but when they went into to do my oesphectomy found microspical cells now I have to so 6 more chemos scan dony know what's after that.

Did you go for pre-surgical chemo and/or radiation.? That is my dilemma with my spouse. PET scan shows no nodal involvement or metastasis But the mass has invaded the muscle layer of the esophagus so he is T2N0. Should he spend precious time having chemo and radiation and risk the cancer spreading at that time or becoming immune suppressed that his surgery needs to be delayed or just go right to surgery?

Did your spouse need chemo or radiation prior to surgery?

Your surgeon isn't very tactful. Spouse 66 yr just had the surgery in August. He is doing fantastic. Learning what he can eat and how much. Has taken the dogs to do a little hiking. Most say that you are lucky if you can get the surgery as it is the best outcome. Stay positive,stay active and do what you are supposed to do.