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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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Our oncologist recommended chemo and then sx as he is prime candidate for great outcome of removal of tumor/cancer. My husband has decided not to have sx but proceed with chemo a pet scan and then chemo and radiation. I will support him of course, but it is very hard knowing there is a better option.
First chemo was last week, he is doing ok so far, just tired.
Thank you.
My 70 yr old husband has been thru the same…diagnosed stage 2 localised. He decided to have the surgery..Ivor Lewis. He is now nearly 10 months post op. The chemo shrank his tumour considerably but couldn’t guarantee no cells were left so that’s why he chose surgery. He has always been tall and thin, and has since lost around 135 lbs…it’s been a battle to gain any weight but he’s still pleased he had the surgery. It’s a very personal decision and such a hard one. Just giving you another perspective and whatever yr husband has chosen, I’m sending yr husband positive vibes for a long and healthy life. Thinking of you too…it’s been a very long 10 months and I can relate to you and how you feel as a wife. Sending hugs x
Thank you so much for your reply. He has had 1 Chemo trtmt out of the first 4, and so far so good. Very few symptoms, just tired. He still is not going to have the surgery. 4 FLOT Chemo trtmts, PET scan and then 23 days radiation with wkly chemo.
I'll be supportive and stand by his decision, but deep down, I think surgery is a better chance. But this is his choice. Keep us in your prayers
Praying for you and your husband!
I will pray for you too. My husband had 4 FLOT treatments b4 surgery, then surgery and was going to have another 4 FLOT treatments but found it too hard on him post surgery. Apparently a lot can’t handle it the same after. He managed the chemo ok….the injections after it were what affected him the most. They work on keeping your immune system fighting. He had some neuropathy in his feet which started around the 2 nd course but that is fine now. Make sure he wears gloves and a scarf in the cold as that particular chemo can make being out in the cold difficult. All this has gone now and he’s feeling pretty good in himself. I’m sure your husband will manage it too. 🙂 we live in the South Island in New Zealand. Thanks for yr reply.
I'm on a similar path as your advisee. I'd like to add a further consideration to the decision: patient age. An informative Youtube presentation at a Thoracic Surgery symposium included a broad survey of survival length surgery and surgery-declined histories of EC patients with Stages 2 and 3 diagnoses, yielding a finding of an average 20 percent reduction of life expectancy for those opting against surgery. A patient at an advanced age might well determine that such a result would be less significant than the length of time for surgery, recovery and significant change in nutritional habits if surgical intervention is an option. I completely agree with your listed important considerations facing patients in these situations, but would simply add how age, whether relatively youthful or advanced, might be an important consideration as well. I'm in the latter age group and it's something I'm thinking hard about when I'll be discussing options with my medical team.
Hi. I live in Christ Church. Where did your husband have his surgery and how long ago? Iv been searching for other kiwis for ages
Oh for goodness sake ! Small world ! We are in Timaru ! My husband had his surgery in ch ch hospital. His surgeon was Rukshan Ranjan…quite young but very good. He had 4 sessions of FLOT chemo b4 the Ivor Lewis surgery which shrunk the tumour considerably. Could only handle one session after op. Six months post op and he’s not feeling too bad in himself, just can’t do anywhere near what he could do before he was diagnosed, and gets quite tired at times. I think as hes still slowly losing weight, this doesn’t help. He’s always been tall and thin but he’s lost around 30 lbs so far. Hopefully it will calm down soon and he can gain some. Gets full quickly after eating a small amount. Lovely to hear from another kiwi 😊
I’m so sorry to hear you have been through so much….my husbands lungs collapsed while he was in ch ch. It was so frightening…but he came thru after a few days in intensive care. It’s certainly a journey isn’t it. Thinking of you and your husband and sending hugs x