1. < Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer: Surgery Or Not?

Posted by rickho @rickho, Feb 19, 2024

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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sueb007 | @sueb007 | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @ollusam "Did your spouse need chemo or radiation prior to surgery?" + (show)
@ollusam

Did your spouse need chemo or radiation prior to surgery?

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

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carolineward | @carolineward | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @dsh33782 "rheuben I'm 79 and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. I was deemed not a candidate for..." + (show)
@dsh33782

rheuben
I'm 79 and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. I was deemed not a candidate for surgery to remove cancerous tumor in lower esophagus. I have had 28 days of radiation and chemo. The latest scans show the esophageal cancer is all gone. I'd be happy to answer questions?
Don

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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.

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ollusam | @ollusam | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @doglover888 "Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I..." + (show)
@doglover888

Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I did and it was rough in the beginning but I am almost back to my old self. Next week I am having my 3 year checkup. So far, so good. No sign of cancer and my surgeon said he believes I have a 5% chance of it ever returning. I believe that not having the surgery would be foolhardy but then that's me. I rarely think about it.....life goes on. Whatever you decide I wish you the best. Be positive and good luck.

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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?

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1 reply
ollusam | @ollusam | Sep 12, 2024
In reply to @sueb007 "Your surgeon isn't very tactful. Spouse 66 yr just had the surgery in August. He is..." + (show)
@sueb007

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.

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Did your spouse need chemo or radiation prior to surgery?

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1 reply
sueb007 | @sueb007 | Sep 12, 2024

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.

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1 reply
ollusam | @ollusam | Sep 11, 2024
In reply to @doglover888 "Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I..." + (show)
@doglover888

Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I did and it was rough in the beginning but I am almost back to my old self. Next week I am having my 3 year checkup. So far, so good. No sign of cancer and my surgeon said he believes I have a 5% chance of it ever returning. I believe that not having the surgery would be foolhardy but then that's me. I rarely think about it.....life goes on. Whatever you decide I wish you the best. Be positive and good luck.

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Was it at the GE juncture? Any lymph node involvement? Did you have any pre surgical chemo or radiation?

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ollusam | @ollusam | Sep 11, 2024
In reply to @doglover888 "Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I..." + (show)
@doglover888

Hi. I HAD esophageal cancer and didn't question for a second whether to have surgery. I did and it was rough in the beginning but I am almost back to my old self. Next week I am having my 3 year checkup. So far, so good. No sign of cancer and my surgeon said he believes I have a 5% chance of it ever returning. I believe that not having the surgery would be foolhardy but then that's me. I rarely think about it.....life goes on. Whatever you decide I wish you the best. Be positive and good luck.

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My husband is 75 years old Dx with T2N0 GE juncture cancer. Pet scan negative for mets no lymph node involvement Esophageal ultrasound shows mass into muscle layer but no lymphadenopathy. Surgery first? chemo later? chemo first? I would hate to postpone surgery at this point for unnecessary pre surgical chemo and radiation. Thoughts?

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larryaw | @larryaw | Aug 4, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @larryaw, several members like @dsh33782 were treated successfully with chemo and radiation, no surgery. Age..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @larryaw, several members like @dsh33782 were treated successfully with chemo and radiation, no surgery. Age is an important factor to consider.

How are you doing on chemo and radiation? How many more treatments do you have?

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I’m doing okay, as I guess normal I have good and bad days. I’ve had three chemo infusions with two to go. Fourteen radiation and fourteen to go. Radiation has been the worst making my throat sore. Anyway I will press on and get through this.

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Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Aug 4, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @larryaw, several members like @dsh33782 were treated successfully with chemo and radiation, no surgery. Age..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @larryaw, several members like @dsh33782 were treated successfully with chemo and radiation, no surgery. Age is an important factor to consider.

How are you doing on chemo and radiation? How many more treatments do you have?

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Hi Lary
I'm 79 and have had 35 chemo and radiation treatments which were successful in eliminating tumor in lower esophagus. After that scans were clear and I did not need surgery. Let me know if I can help answer any questions you have.
Don

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 4, 2024
In reply to @larryaw "Hi all, my name is Larry and I'm 81 years old. My father past from EC..." + (show)
@larryaw

Hi all, my name is Larry and I'm 81 years old. My father past from EC within 7 days of being diagnosed almost 20 years ago. He had ignored all signs. Because of my fathers diagnosis I insisted on yearly endoscopies. Strangely my May 2023 endo was clear and the May 2024 was positive and stage 3 at the EGI junction, everyone was surprised how fast it had developed. Next week will be my 3rd chemo and 15th radiation. Looking forward because of my age I question whether I should opt for surgery after treatment assuming chemo/rad is successful.

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Hi @larryaw, several members like @dsh33782 were treated successfully with chemo and radiation, no surgery. Age is an important factor to consider.

How are you doing on chemo and radiation? How many more treatments do you have?

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