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.
I saw my oncologist yesterday for the results of a cat scan. the first since my surgery 3 months ago. everything was good but she told me i only need to come back for blood work every three months, no scans because they would be a waste time because if the cancer does come back it would be incurable so we dont need to do scans. help!! has anybody else heard this, do i need a new doctor?
I'm a little stunned at your docs' response. In truth, if the cancer comes back in the same spot, it is hard to treat. But there is chemo and pinpoint radiation (Cyber Knife) available depending on how and where it comes back. Routine CT scans helped find my recurrances (along with a reaction to the cancer on my skin). I am a great believer in periodic scans, along with blood workups.
This is now what I am going thru 5 1/2 years after surgery. Mine has re-occurred in the lymph node system. I just received my chemo pills in the mail, and I will start standard, high-dose radiation and chemo next week for the next 5 weeks.
My doc seems open to new ideas, and I have talked to many who are the same. It sounds, from what you describe, that your doc is closed-minded. It might be a good idea to at least get a second opinion.
Don't wait. Do it as soon as you make your decision. Talk to friends who have survived cancer about their doc. Talk to prospective docs. Hopefully, you'll find one who wants to work with you.
As an aside: I bought my first airplane from a pilot in Des Moines many years ago. It was a really nice, older 4-seat Cessna. I liked that old plane!!!! Oh well...........
Let us know how it goes.
All the best,
Fred
I think this is a "trick" question and you knew the answer all along. My answer would be to find a new doctor and "fire" the old one. The reasoning for not doing any more CT scans makes absolutely no sense. Under her reasoning why even do the first scan, or blood tests?
Cindy, there is a big difference between the terms "incurable" and "untreatable." I am not going to argue the concept of whether or not esophageal cancer is incurable. It is a serious disease. However, Fred and I are both living examples of the fact that it is treatable. (And Fred, let's keep it that way).
I don't remember my exact schedule but the CT scans were at three months, six months, twelve months and 24 months. Somewhere along the way there were two PET scans. I also had endoscopic examinations at twelve months and 24 months.
Find a new doctor Cindy and let us know who your surgeon recommends.
Patrick