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.
My brother started his chemo yesterday (hooray!) and so far, so good. However, he's already developed one symptom that seems kind of strange: food tastes weird, different, in some cases almost inedible. Apparently he was nibbling cherries in the car on the way over to the treatment center--afterwards he popped one in his mouth and immediately had to spit it out. He said it was the bitterest thing he'd ever eaten, like one of those super-bitter warhead candies that kids like to eat. Apparently this sense of altered taste followed him throughout the day--spicy Indian food tasted blah, potato chips were like cardboard, and all fruits seemed like they'd been doused with lemon juice.
Of course this is from the chemo, and presumably when the treatment ends things will go back to normal, but it seems kind of worrisome when the doctor has told him specifically to go on a weight-gaining campaign right away. Is there any chance that this symptom might subside before the chemo ends?
Of course this is from the chemo, and presumably when the treatment ends things will go back to normal, but it seems kind of worrisome when the doctor has told him specifically to go on a weight-gaining campaign right away. Is there any chance that this symptom might subside before the chemo ends?
Also, be aware that chemo commonly causes sudden onset of lactose intolerance. We found that out the hard way with Mike. He is a year and a half after chemo now and he is only just being able to tolerate dairy again.
Be aware that he will begin to not like the smell of cooking and that dislike of certain foods will continue for quite some time. He will have to experiment on what he can eat and not be nauseated. Saltine crackers are one of the things that many people can eat and help get other things down during and after chemo.
Go on line under chemotherapy and check for foods that do not cause or exacerbate nausea. His oncologist should also be able to help by providing background information on foods that are less nauseating.
Also in my case, my appetite did not return to a semblance of normal until 4-1/2 months after surgery. By then I had lost 27 pounds. By 8 months after surgery I had gained back 2/3 of that 27 pounds.
I have always been lactose intolerant, but found that lactase enzyme tablets, readily available at the pharmacy, allow me to eat all the real ice cream that I want and ice cream was one of the foods that did not bother me much.