Post Surgery - histology found cancer cells in lymph nodes

[Clary]

So we met with the surgeon after having the feeding tube removed 3 weeks post surgery - and the MDT had met and discussed the pathology report. It turns out the tumour was a T3 and some cancer was found in the fat around the margin of the oesophagus. 27 nodes were removed and 4 tested positive. The tumour was bigger than expected - however they were clear it is not in any other organs.

My partner continues to recover well. He's eating and drinking small amounts, though he says he always feels full. He's up and about and quite active - so I know we have a lot to be thankful for.

Next stage is awaiting an appointment with the Oncologist to see if further chemo is an option. It's all very scary, but my partner says he wants us to 'proceed as normal'- he's so brave!!

[Hidden]

Thanks for the update, and the good news. Recovery is a slow and steady process with no guarantees against periodic setbacks or possible recurrence but there is good cause to be optimistic and positive, and we give you both our very best wishes. Taking out a good number of nodes does tend to make for successful treatment!

Alan

[Westoncromwell]

Hi Clary,

Sounds as if your partner is a strong, focused man as his rapid recovery is impressive and will only improve as time passes.

I am 20 months post op with a very re normalised eating and living lifestyle .

I too had a T3 which I understand had been there for about a year. I was told to expect positive nodes in the histology although they didn't find any. I elected to have postoperative chemo as I had tolerated the ECX well pre op and was told that it can have a beneficial 'mopping up' effect.

I live in thanks for the present and look towards the future, in so many ways these experiences are so positive as they make us all examine the 'bigger picture' that surrounds us and see our lives in a different perspective, giving thanks for what we have had and what is yet to come.

With my best wishes

Brian

[Thorno]

I was T3 with a trace found in one node post-op (48 removed) - I debated long and hard with my Oncologist as to whether we should do a final 'sweep' of chemo just to make sure and to be honest, I don't think I could have chosen not to.

My understanding is that there were no guarantees that anything was still there somewhere or indeed whether the subsequent chemo would deal with it if there was but in the end I thought I had no choice but to crack on - I guess it's all down to personal choice but for me, it felt the right thing to do.

Good luck with everything. It sounds as though his attitude is bang on - it really helps to be positive and focussed and as we all know, it truly is a long and hard process.

Peter

[monty]

I was T3 and my nodes were clear, I did not have pre- chemotherapy after much debate with my surgeon decision was made to do the operation first chemo second.

I was in hospital for nine days and made a relatively uncomplicated recovery, on meeting with the oncologist after much debate with no real guarantee at the time it was going to make much difference to my outcome I decided to decline post chemotherapy,

I had my surgery 12 years ago.

Good luck with everything sounds he has the right attitude it really helps to be positive.

Monty.

[Lynleahy]

My husband was also T3 and his histology showed he had one unclear margin and the majority of the nodes taken out were in fact positive - there was no question that he would need post op surgery which he had and was exceedingly hard. Fourteen months later he had a recurrence and is currently receiving RT - everyone is different and our journeys all take differing paths but this disease needs treating with the utmost seriousness - it is scary but that positive attitude is a very important part of the treatment I think . All the best to you both. Lyn

[Lynleahy]

That should read - post-op chemo !

[gutlesswonder]

Two steps forward and one step back. That is how we all live now.It's a saw- tooth,just great so long as the slope is upwards . I have been climbing for 22 years.

Back in those days pre-Op Chemo was not an option.My Oesophageal carcinoma was the size of a grapefruit so I had 4 courses of Cisplatin as an out-patient.

Twenty-two years -what can I tell you ?

Your Partner is doing exceedingly well.