Esophageal Cancer Support Group
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes. Esophageal tumors usually lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), pain and other symptoms, and is diagnosed with biopsy. Small and localized tumors are treated with surgery, and advanced tumors are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combinations.
My husband was diagnosed with a stage 2 to 3 tumor, he just had his PET scan a few days ago so we haven't gotten the results back yet (very nervous about that) the oncologist hopes to start the chemo in about a week or so but my question to all of you that have gone through the chemo is do they always put a feeding tube in? because at this point my husband is still able to eat & drink ok, he tries to keep it mainly soft foods that go down easily but so far he's handling things o.k. & the Dr. never mentioned anything about a feeding tube & I think he will completly freak out if they tell him he has to have one! I'm just wondering if anyone has gotten through the chemo process without one? Thanks everyone.
I'm sorry you and your husband are having to go through this.
I was stage 3 almost 6 years ago. I did not have a feeding tube right away. Eventually, the tumor completely blocked my esophagus. Many things were tried, but with no success. Finally, they put in a feeding tube. It was a whole lot easier than what I had been going through!!!
Everyone reacts differently to treatments for this beast.
Rather than getting worried about something perhaps way in the future, you might feel better focusing on what is going on today. I think many of us on this post have found focusing near term is by far the best way to get through the day.
There is a lot of info available for you about this disease on the Internet. Your doctor is also an excellent source of information at your fingertips. Finally, there are some terrific people on this post who would be willing to help in any way.
Learn all you can! It's your best weapon against this beast.
We'll include you both in our prayers.
All the best,
Fred
For me (and this does NOT happen to everyone) the radiation made my swallowing nearly impossible after a while. It was just too painful to swallow - even with pain medication, so it was a blessing that I had the feeding tube - although I didn't like a tube sticking out of my tummy. I mean pierced ears is about as far as I can go with anything sticking into my skin :-) But, when I woke from esophageal cancer surgery, I saw I could actually tolerate lots of things poking and sticking out of me - after all they were trying to save my life :-) And, I wanted my life :-)
One reason I was really disappointed is they said sometimes with radiation swallowing can get better because it is supposed to shrink the tumor and that can make swallowing that was difficult easier. But, mine never got better because the radiation did it's number on it. But, to get rid of the cancer....whatever it took :-)
After my surgery, when I got to the point that I could have nutrients, the feeding tube was immense help, as I wasn't allowed to eat much (or at all for a few? days after surgery) but the nutrients could go in 24/7 through the tube at the first point that, that was allowed. I truly feel that helped my recovery.
As I went through the process of my disease my mindset changed, so things I would have thought I could never tolerate/do when I was healthy - I was able to do when the time came. For instance when I lost my hair. Hair was sooooooooo important before cancer....bad hair day wasn't going to happen :-) BUT, when it came time that I lost my hair, honestly for me it didn't matter. It was actually a reminder to me that I was working hard to beat cancer :-) My niece knit me some little caps to enjoy. Around the house, if someone came, I'd ask if they minded if I took my cap off and no one minded and neither did I :-) Guess that's one way cancer can change our lives forever....it opens our eyes sometimes to what is really important in life. Don't get me wrong though - I like having my hair again :-)
For sure....day at a time :-) Looking ahead can be scary and we all don't experience the exact same side affects or issues. Mainly, he should have a Dr. he can trust and look out for himself. He'll hear his body louder than anyone else :-) But you keep your eye on him, too, for sure :-) God bless.