Does anybody have experience with esophageal cancer?

[7costanza]

My dad was just diagnosed with esophageal cancer, he was actually diagnosed last month but just told me this week. I suspect he was waiting to tell me until he knew more, and until I gave birth (baby was born 2 weeks ago). He is likely going to have his esophagus removed in September, and a CT scan showed that the cancer hasn't spread to any other areas. He has Barrett's Esophagus and has been monitored quarterly for the past several years so I think they caught it early. I was just reading about it online a bit, and the 5 year survival rate is 5%, and median survival time is between 13-19 months. I'm curious to hear if anybody knows someone who has/had this and what their experience was?  

[Deleted]

No but I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Best of luck to him.

[awkwardpenguin]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My own dad had cancer (melanoma) and I know how hard it can be.

Most people say to stay off Google, and that's generally good advice. However, I'm a health researcher and generally a "the more you know" kind of person. For me, it was helpful to have realistic and factual information, but it can be hard to find without medical knowledge. Your dad's prognosis will depend on the stage of his cancer, the grade of his tumor, and how the cancer was found (screening vs. symptoms).

The 5% 5 year survival is an old stat. It's now around 20% for all esophageal cancer and higher for early stage cancer and cancer found on screening. If possible, I would ask about prognosis with his oncologist, and double check on Google once you know stage and grade.

I'm so sorry and I hope your dad's surgery goes well.

[bostonmichelle]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad .

[Susie]

Not recently enough to be helpful.  My grandfather died of it in 1992, but I'm sure treatments have come a long way since then.  He lived with it far longer than originally estimated at diagnosis, close to 2 years.  Best of luck to your family, hugs.

[af1212]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.

My stepfather had esophogeal cancer. He was diagnosed in 2005 (I think). He had his esophogus removed and recovered fully from the cancer. He did pass away in 2011, however it was from an unrelated illness.

The biggest change for him after the surgery was his ability to eat his favorite meals. He was a lover of food, and was disappointed that he didn't enjoy his favorite goods in the same way. He had frequent hiccups, and could only eat very small portions at a time after the surgery. He had bad reflux afterwards which made spicy and tomato based foods hard to eat for him.

One complication that arose after the surgery was that several times scar tissue built up within his digestive system and created a blockage. He had to have the scar tissue removed twice I think, but maybe three times.

Let me know if you have any other questions or want to talk. Hugs!

[drloretta]

I agree, talk to him/his doctor about prognosis and stats. I'm pretty sure that survival rate is for someone who wasn't being monitored.

My thoughts are with you.

[Deleted]

No insight, but I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. What overwhelming news--i can't imagine how much more so with a newborn. I'll be thinking of you.

[tacom]

In my head and neck cancer class we learned that eso

[noodleoo]

I'm so sorry. I hope they caught it early enough. That must be such hard news to del with.

[tacom]

Sorry. Phone troubles.

In my head and neck cancer class, we learned that esophageal cancers have a poor prognosis/higher mortality rate because they aren't often caught until advance stages. It was explained to us that when someone has a tumor on a vocal fold, you hear immediate voice changes and may even have trouble breathing. You're more likely to seek immediate medical attention. The esophagus, on the other hand, has much more give. It's a flexible tube by necessity and can often accommodate small changes without much issue.

Luckily your dad has been closely monitored for other esophageal issues so it doesn't sound like late diagnosis is his reality! The fact that the cancer hasn't metastasized and they were comfortable delaying surgery for two months leaves me pretty optimistic (without knowing more of course).

[7costanza]

Thanks everyone! It was caught at a routine screening, and it sounds like his doctors aren't recommending chemo or radiation since its just in a small area. It's reassuring to hear the 5% survival rate is outdated and his prognosis is likely a lot better. I'm anxious to meet with his doctor to learn more. I am worried about his quality of life after the surgery too, his diet is already pretty restricted because he has diabetes and had his gallbladder removed a few years ago.

[MamaMaui24]

Ask the oncologist if your dad has access to a Registered Dietitian (specifically a CSO RD, certified specialist in oncology nutrition) to discuss the eating issues. It is common for oncology patients to have several other diseases related to diet, so he should still be able to follow a DM diet, just may have to make foods more soft and smaller, more frequent meals (which could effect his DM meds).

www.oncologynutrition.org/search

It sounds great that your dad's was caught so early and a really good sign that they think he would benefit from surgery alone!

(and congratuatlions on the baby!)

[Deleted]

Sending T&P your way.

[mbcdefg]

I'm sorry. I hope he'll be OK.

[sa]

No advice, just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I hope everything goes well.

[doobeedoo]

I don't have experience with this kind of cancer, but I wanted to chime in to give you internet hugs.