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.
Hi all,
This is a fantastic support group! It's so good to feel that my family is not alone when fighting this disease. I have a question. During my sister's surgery, the pathologist and surgeon found another cancer spot high up on her esophagus, very near to the incision site. The surgeon could only take 3mm of surrounding tissue because it was so high. My sister's radiologist suspects that this is not connected to the first tumor, but rather another cancer that has popped up. She never drank or smoked. She is now scheduled for 5 1/2 weeks of radiation (again) to treat that spot. The good news is that they think it was caught early. The other good news is that last week she had 2 good days in a row after her surgery (Dec. 3rd), without overwhelming nausea. Has anyone else been down this road, with reoccurring cancer in the esophagus? Also, I've noticed that some of you have talked about having regular scans done. How often do you do this? Thanks for your input.
This is a fantastic support group! It's so good to feel that my family is not alone when fighting this disease. I have a question. During my sister's surgery, the pathologist and surgeon found another cancer spot high up on her esophagus, very near to the incision site. The surgeon could only take 3mm of surrounding tissue because it was so high. My sister's radiologist suspects that this is not connected to the first tumor, but rather another cancer that has popped up. She never drank or smoked. She is now scheduled for 5 1/2 weeks of radiation (again) to treat that spot. The good news is that they think it was caught early. The other good news is that last week she had 2 good days in a row after her surgery (Dec. 3rd), without overwhelming nausea. Has anyone else been down this road, with reoccurring cancer in the esophagus? Also, I've noticed that some of you have talked about having regular scans done. How often do you do this? Thanks for your input.
I only had two PET and one was after the initial scope biopsy & CAT that indicated cancer and the 2nd PET (again following a CAT) after chemo/radiation prior to my surgery. I think they had me take a CD from the CAT scan to the place for my PET scan each time.
After my surgery (4+ years ago) they set me up for check-up from my oncologist & blood work every 3 months & Scope & CAT every 6 months. After 2 years they changed my check-up /blood work to 4 months, but scope/CAT still at 6 months. Now I am on 6 months for check-up blood work & yearly scope/scan. I think the longer you are showing cancer free the longer they go between testing. But again, I'm sure it depends on different factors. I do what my Drs. suggest because I have a lot of confidence in my Drs. and I know it's so important for me to have blood work & testing.
I'm so glad your sister had some good days and hope her radiation treatments go well and that she keeps having more and more good days! Brenda