Metastatic spread to heart valve

[valruss]

My husband had an oesophagectomy in July 2013 for a T3N1M0 adenocarcioma and has just had a CT scan which reveals the cancer has returned in a heart valve but a biopsy is not possible because of the area involved. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Hidden]

Not all cancer sites can be readily biopsied and it sounds like this is one of them. The heart is near by the oesophagus so in one sense the spread there would not be surprising, but it is not a location I have heard of personally,and I believe that cancer in the heart is a rare condition, so it would need a specialist to be able to make any judgement about whether any treatment is possible in such a crucial location.

That is bad news and it will take some time to come to terms with it. We give you and your husband best wishes at what must be a difficult time.

[valruss]

Thanks Alan - we are seeing Russ's oncologist tomorrow so I will let you know more information about available treatment and prognosis - it's always helpful to have it posted on this community to help other people in similar circumstances.

This all came to light when Russ was being scanned before another round of surgery that was due to take place at Guy's Hospital next week. Russ had an anastomatic leak 10 days after his oesophagectomy and underwent life saving surgery after developing mediastinitis, peritonitis and sepsis followed by multi-organ failure pneumonia and MRSA. The surgeons had to make a quick access into his media sternum to clear out the infection, resulting in broken ribs which subsequently became infected causing rib osteomyalitis plus a chronic infection of their costal margins. This is also a rare occurrence and the only way forward for Russ is to have all the infection and ribs excised which was due to happen next week but this has now been put on hold until we find out the prognosis of the spread of the disease to his heart.

We think t would be futile for Russ to undergo another bout of major surgery if the cancer has returned and his life expectancy is limited but all will be revealed tomorrow. Thank you for your good wishes and yes, it is a very difficult time for our family but we have been through so much this past year that we will continue to be strong.

[hilr]

Hi valruss, your husband's experience is terrible, my heart goes out to you both and will be thinking if you.

Hilary x

[valruss in reply to hilr]

Thank you so much Hilary. It is wonderful to be part of this community and know people really understand the difficulties you go through. We are seeing the oncologist this afternoon so then we will know more about what the future holds. Val

[valruss in reply to hilr]

H Hilary

I thought you should know that Russ died on 1 September - unexpectedly but peacefully. He was out for his usual morning walk with his best friend around their beloved ruby club pitches when he had wobbly legs, sat on the bench, took a deep breath and flew away. His cancer had spread to his aorta and did not respond to radiotherapy but we thought he would have lived until after Christmas. But it wasn't to be and at least the family has been spared sitting by a hospice bed in similar circumstances to our vigil in ICU last year, so Russ was kind to us in that respect. I shall continue to read the messages on this community and help where I can. Thank you for your concern and replying to my previous messages.

[hilr]

Val, I'm so sorry. But as you say it was peaceful and quick for him, and for you too. I had a friend where her passing was prolonged over many months and it was such so difficult time for her and her family.

My thoughts are with you. Love and cwtchs, Hilary x

[valruss]

Thank you Hilary. I agree, Russ did not have to die a lingering death so will give thanks for that. xxxx