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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Some good news

MargaretCooney
MargaretCooney
Three months ago today I was told that we needed an oncologist. We didn't know it at the time but Tom was stage IV and inoperable. After 3 months of craziness, that oncologist told us that we had a "partial remission". The tumors in the lungs are definitely decreasing. The esophageal tumor is stable in size. He viewed this all very positively. Tom had his 4th round of chemo today and will have a 5th in 3 weeks.

We told the doc about Fred's schedule with xeloda and he said, "that is one way to approach it'. At the moment Tom is on Xeloda twice a day, every day. but I think the doc might tried Fred's schedule when the other chemo stops.
Brenda2008
Brenda2008
That's sounds really good, Margaret. I hope things keep improving. I think Martin recently spoke of being diagnosed as stage 4 in 2009(?) and mentions the date of his surgery. I don't know the particulars, but I have heard of some people with stage 4 able to have surgery? Sometimes after treatment. But that may be depending on the degree of where the cancer is and if there is a swallowing issue. So, you might research that a little more too and see what your Dr. says after treatment, if that would be an option for your husband or not. I hope Tom does well with treatment and gets NED in his follow-up from treatment scan.

I'm glad that you were able to connect with Fred and his information. If Tom's Dr. feels that is the avenue to take with Tom it would be great to know it would help him too! I know my oncologist (and probably most all) join thoughts and ideas with other specialists in this field.

I'm glad you got good news. Hugs, Brenda
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Margaret!

I'm glad to be "good for something" :-). I hope the Xeloda schedule works. I started with 3600mg per day, but we bumped it down to 3000mg per day due to side effects. In a discussion with my oncologist yesterday, he said he had no idea that I might tolerate this as long as I have. He just didn't know what to expect. He was obviously pleased at the results so far. As am I.....

So, again, all the best!!!

Fred
MartinL
MartinL
I had stage 4 and, indeed did have surgery. I was a "technical" stage 4...no spread to adjoining organs but had a positive lymh node , which was not directly contiguous to the tumor. So even though we're talking millimeters....that is considered a distant metastasis...thus, Stage 4. Also, the size of the primary tumor is relevant....5cm or less can be operable.....larger, usually not. Mine was 3cm. These are just odds and numbers and we are people. Everybody responds differently....stay active, aggressive with your treatment and as positive as possible.....good luck...ML.