Esophageal Cancer Support Group

Thank You! That would be awesome of you to share your knowledge with others before they decide to have surgery. How brave you were and I loved your sense of humor.

I hope you will be able to help me in the future. My Husband (of only 4 years) found out he has Esophagus cancer yesterday. I have been reading everything I can to prepare myself for whatever is coming our way. He is being optimistic, I am being realistic. I am a "caregiver" by nature and want to help everyone. I find myself becoming overwhelmed by the thought of this, and scared as H---!

Hello Sammygirl,I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I experienced the same feelings you are going through.
A lot depends on the stage of cancer he has right now and wether its confined to just the esophagus. In my case the cancer was very early stage and now I feel the radical surgery was a little overkill. They got it all and I did not have to go through chemo. It's a long healing process, 1 year +. From what I've heard and read the only way to be sure of getting all the cancer is to remove most of the esophagus. I was told that chemo does not work well with the esophagus because there is very little blood flow to the esophagus and it does not reach the cancer. I'm not sure how well radiation would work. After 3 months I finally elected to go all the way. It is cancer and nothing to play with. I was also told that if they removed a small portion the normally the cancer will reappear within a couple years. Its a tough call. Here are a couple sites to check and I hope they are of some help to you.

http://www.sts.org/doc/4121#7

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/e...

http://pathology2.jhu.edu/beweb/st...

Let me know if there is any other questions you have.

Hope everything works out for you both. God bless.

Good News or Bad News?

My Husband had an EUS (Endoscopic UltraSound) today and the Dr. said his Cancer is T4N2MX and in 2 lymph nodes (next to his Heart and Spine). Now I will go figure out what those things mean by researching them. We meet with an Oncologist later this week. He has a PET/CT scan next week. The Dr. today, said he would guess Chemo/Radiation before the Surgery on the Esophagus...
Anybody with more experience have any comments?

Me... with no patience!!

Okay my research tells me T4 N2 MX means the Tumor (today was the first day somebody said Tumor) has penetrated thru the Esophagus wall. It is in 2 lymph nodes and the spread is undetermined. So now the PET/CT scan next week is VERY important as it will tell us where else our evil friend Cancer may have wandered to. At this point, with the info we have, it is considered a Stage III Esophagus cancer.

I was reading Sammygirls reply and my heart justs sinks....I had an esophagram done last week and They found a tumor...Yes they used the word tumor...My surgeon called Friday said now he wants to see me wednesday instead of 2-3 weeks intially thought and to have CT neck, chest and abdomen. I had them done while working in the ER that night which didn't show any other tumors but did not display esophagus well. Waiting for the specialist who does EUS to come back into town. I've been walking on egg shells. MOrtified of the results...They think this tumor is the reason I have these esophageal spasms so bad. They already contacted Cardio thoracic surgery for consult. I dont think I've ever been so scared in my life. I've dealt with death and dying all the time in my career from working ICU to ER but this is way too close to home for me....
Tanya
rn28grace

Sammygirl, I'm so sorry to hear how things are going there. I can only imagine what you and your husband are going through. So many unanswered questions and the mind only sees the worst. just remember, nothing is impossible, just some things are more difficult than others. I think the waiting and the guessing is the worst part. You both are in my thoughts and I pray for the best for you. No matter how it goes, its going to be a rough road to travel. I still haven't found a smooth spot yet. Just remember, being there for one another means more than anything.
Bill

Hi Tonya, (rn28grace)
I wouldn't jump to conclusions until you hear the real word, CANCER. A lot of tumors are benign, you should know that. Like I told Sammygirl, the waiting and guessing is the worst part. It's ok to be scared but keep a positive attitude. In my case they found an inflamed ulcer at the base of the esophagus where it connects to the stomach. I don't know if that's the same as a tumor, depends on what the doc wants to call it. Anyway, after the inflamation went down they did a biopsy and found the cancer. It was only into the first layer and very early stage. It was also a slow growing cancer, Adenocarcinoma. I guess there is a faster growing type. Anyway, I went for the big operation rather than try other things first and since mine cancer was early stage I'm not sure now that that was the best choise.
I'm hoping you are worried about nothing right now but if it should turn out different I'm willing to help if I can.
Hugs to ya hon.

Thanks Bill! I was worried about you. My Hubby is to have 6 weeks (5 days a week) of radiation and 2 rounds of 96 hour chemo during week 1 & 5 of radiation. They are to put in a port & feeding tube this week. Stay tuned I'm sure I will have more questions and thanks for "being there". I hope you start feeling better soon!! HUGS, Sammy

Has anybody had any trouble with blood clots during chemo and/or radiation? My Husband had 3 treatments of radiation and had just finished 96 continuous hours of FU-5 chemo and almost lost his hands to blood clots...