Yeah, I would be looking for another Oncologist. A second opinion. I would look for someone who has a plan. I'm assuming that is what your brother is doing? I'm wishing him the best and a Dr. that will give him hope and a positive direction moving forward. Perhaps if he can, he could go to one of the leading hospitals for their opinion. MD Anderson in Texas is listed as the top hospital in the country, I'm quite sure. They may even be the leading hospital for dealing with Esophageal cancer, I'm not sure, but you can research more on them and other hospitals. God bless. Brenda

Perhaps Marvin (?) will see this and comment soon. I'm trying to remember, but I think he was diagnosed Stage 4 several years ago. Since then, he's lived a good life and even traveled abroad. I was so impressed with his comments several months ago that I printed them off and kept them handy whenever I needed another dose of hope. I agree with Brenda, if I were diagnosed with this cancer, I would go to MD Anderson or one of the Mayo Clinics. So sorry to hear this.

Yes, happily Brother moved on to another doctor who wants to treat the tumor aggressively. The port-a-cath is going in on Wednesday, and treatment starts a couple of days later. The course of treatment seems to hinge on whether or not the tumor contains an excess of a certain kind of protein--if it does a specific treatment protocol exists, if not I guess the cancer cells will be blasted with the standard amount of chemo and radiation.
Thanks for your words of comfort, folks. It still boggles me that a reputable doctor would refuse to even try to extend a patent's life, but oh well--I guess the doctor/patients relationship is not always a perfect fit.

I've been on three different EC support group sites and can tell you that I know of one Stage 4 who's been cancer free for years and at least half a dozen others who've lived many years beyond diagnosis. On another EC site, they even formed a group called "The Fighting Fours". You might want to check out "Smart Patients", a newly-formed site for every kind of support group. Go to its EC group site and just ask about the Fighting Fours. This site took over for one called ACOR which shut down a few weeks ago, so many of ACOR's members signed up for Smart Patients. Someone there will surely know how to get you in touch with the Fighting Fours. Good luck!! This is one cancer about which you simply can't know too much.

Thanks! I'm going to check out the site now--it inspires me to no end to hear about folks who have successfully battled Stage 4 EC. Sites like these are a godsend!

I wish I could remember one particular Stage 4 survivor's name, but he's still alive 12 years post-diagnosis. It can happen!! I was originally told that my Stage 3 put in in a 15% survival category. I immediately decided that "Someone has to be in the elite group - why not ME?" 8 clean Pet scans later, I'm still here :) Sometimes what's done for Stage 4 is massive chemo/radiation in the hopes that the cancer can shrink enough to then go ahead with the major surgery. I've been aware of many cases like this. Again - good luck!! Never forget that knowledge is power, my friend.

Yes, it's kind of funny how we each have our own mantra. Mine is "The chances of survival are 3% for a 68 year old--but Tom is 49! Who knows what the odds are for someone with a relatively young body with no previous health conditions?" Whatever gives us hope, I guess.

As Linda said , I was Stage 4 and yesterday was 4 years from the operation which rendered me cancer free. There are different types of Stage 4 disease so we all dont fit nicely into one category. It sounds to me as if the first doc does not know a lot about EC. I have a buddy, who is a GP, and in practice for 30 years, who told me he has never known anyone to survive EC....even though they are docs, some just dont know. Tom is 49...I was only 55 so they decided to throw the kitchen sink at me. Blasted me with rads and 24/7 2 types of chemo at the max dose. Please tell Tom that Stage 4 EC is in no way a death sentence. People who encounter me now would never, ever know that I carried that diagnosis. Tell Tom to cowboy up and lets get started...ML.

Thanks, Martin. Happily Tom did find find another oncologist who literally rolled up his sleeves, then sat down and worked out a treatment plan.
I'm still pretty annoyed at Dr. J ("J" for JERK) though. Really, even if the story isn't likely to have a happy ending, isn't it important to accommodate anyone who wants to try-- if only from a research standpoint? If I were a doctor I'd never try to persuade someone who'd had enough to keep on with their treatments, but I certainly would encourage anyone who wanted to keep on fighting. Every patient who travels down this weary road teaches doctors and researchers something. To me it seems almost criminal to discourage someone from contributing a little something.

My husband was 42 when diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. We also were told to go home and get our affairs in order. But we found an oncologist willing to fight with us. After starting chemo, a combination of Oxaliplatin, Xeloda and Avastin, he went into remission. 18 months later he had surgery. It's been 4 years since the surgery and he is the picture of health. Keep fighting! Trust in God!

Out of all the specialists I consulted when diagnosed Stage IV last year, only one advised me to stop treatment and get my affairs in order. My oncologist and I ignored the jerk, and I'm now in remission. Glad to hear your brother got a new doctor, one willing to help him fight the monster.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 EC Dec 7, 2007. I went through chemo and radiation and have been C free since. I am going to have surgery to fix the radiation damage this month. I highly recommend another oncologist. Get a second or third opinion or as many as needed to get treatment.

AZTopCat, Will the surgery you have scheduled remove the part of your esophagus where the cancer originated? My husband who was also stage 4, showed no signs of cancer on his PET scans after chemo. However,during an endoscopy, they found out that the cancer in his esophagus never went away completely. That is when we fought to have surgery to have his esophagus removed.