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.
Well, it's been a difficult week for Tom...chemo began last Wednesday, and apparently the side effects hit him hard over the weekend. He managed to lose four pounds in less than a week, but fortunately he's beginning to feel some better now.
He's kind of disillusioned, though--the doctor had told him that this particular chemo generally had only mild side effects, and he's felt pretty ill anyway. The nausea, vomiting, and weight loss are worrisome--good grief, if this is considered "mild" chemo, what's the hard core stuff like?
He's kind of disillusioned, though--the doctor had told him that this particular chemo generally had only mild side effects, and he's felt pretty ill anyway. The nausea, vomiting, and weight loss are worrisome--good grief, if this is considered "mild" chemo, what's the hard core stuff like?
deleted_user
Sorry you're having a hard time. I was on an FU5 chemo pump for six weeks while also having daily radiation. I was lucky to have no side effects at all from these treatments. My onc told me that the steady chemo drip around the clock was much more gentle to the system than going in a few times a week for a bolus of chemo all at once.
dhenth
Lucky! Yes, maybe that's why the treatment is hitting him so hard--his system is getting blasted at fairly longish intervals, and as soon as he recovers it's time for another round. The thought of 32 weeks of this is kind of mind-numbing--although if it works of course we'll have no complaints!
deleted_user
It might be worth asking why he couldn't have a slow, steady profusion through a chemo pump worn five out of every seven days? It only makes sense why this is more gentle.
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