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.

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Lymph node removal

Clipper24
Clipper24
When my surgeon did my operation, he told me that he had removed 8 lymph nodes as well as the esophagus. I know why he did this, but what is the by product of this. I noticed that my urine has changed, I don't get colds or the flue like I use to. I seem to be way more affected by sugar and coffee. Just what does the lymph nodes do???
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi:

This site in WebMD has an overview of the lymph nodes:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/swollen-lymph-nodes-topic-overview

Good luck!

Fred
Brenda2008
Brenda2008
Hmmm. I never even thought about what the 12 lymph nodes did - that they removed - ha. I always say I think I live half my life with my head in the sand. The other times I say it's chemo brain, but I don't really think that - perhaps it's a little bit of getting a little older? :-)

But now that you mentioned that, Clipper, I'm gonna click on Fred's link and find out what I'm missing :-) I haven't noticed anything...hmmmm.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had 11 lymph nodes removed during my esophagectomy surgery (3 were cancerous). I have not had any side effects that I am aware of, but your question made me curious. In addition to Fred's webMD site, the following website seems to have a plausable explanation of the potential side effects of node removal.

http://www.answers.com/topic/lymph-node-dissection .

However, I plan to ask my oncologist on my next visit.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The oncologist tha I see, stated that if the cancer was in the lymphnodes I was not a candidate for surgery, I was concerned about this. I have "several" involved, they have not given me a number, just several. I was under the impression starting out that the chemo and raditation was a PRE treatment to shrink the tumor for surgery, but the Dr spoke of it being pallative treatment.
Brenda2008
Brenda2008
Hi Mary: Just looking at what Dan posted above - shows he had surgery. With me they said there was a suspicious node through tests. After chemo, radiation, surgery, my pathology report came back that there was a microscopic cell of cancer in two of the twelve lymph nodes they removed. They didn't want to see any - obviously - neither did I, but my oncologist said chemo/radiation work beyond the last day of treatment, so he felt that the treatment (I had) would have continued to kill them off had they not been removed. So, in theory, if there were any microscopic cells anywhere else in my body - that they, too, would have been killed off. Here's hoping :-)

So, you might want to ask the Dr. for more information of why he told you that - maybe ask where were the lymph nodes located - that showed cancer? Also, you could always get a second opinion.

Dan, thanks for the web link. I found Fred's and yours to be very informative. Thanks so much. Brenda