Oesophageal Cancer

[Ash322]

I have had reflux for years and taken Bicarb for years. Years ago I went on a holiday and was

told to try a particular dish in Santiago, Chile. It was Congria (eel fish) which was delicious but

overdosed with cream.

No sooner got back to the Hotel, than I was violently ill. Spent days in bed with pain.

It took years of antacid etc before finally being diagnosed with Gallbladder stones. That was last

year (April 2022) that I had my gallbladder out and stones removed. Then I had persistent pain

right and left of the removal site. I was told via phone consult, that it was nerve damage.

The pain then went to behind the Sternum and in the July, I developed a terrible, phlegmy cough.

I also have Emphysema, so thought it was that. The Dr gave me numerous rounds of antibiotics, to

no avail. Then I developed a DVT in my left leg and was taken to Hospital. They gave me

Rivaroxaban (blood thinner) and that got rid of the DVT. Then, the week before Xmas 2022, I got

another DVT in the right leg, near my knee replacement. My GP rang a specialist and they said to

go to Hospital again. Next day, I had all the tests including CT and that showed Pulmonary

embolisms in my lungs. They injected me with Clexane (blood thinner) in the abdomen, several

times a day.

The CT also showed them the scarring at the top of my stomach. They were going to do

another CT with a camera but cancelled it, for some reason. My discharge papers said I would

receive the appointment as an Outpatient in 6-8 weeks. I went home and heard nothing more. I

rang the Hospital (3 different depts) and they had no record of any follow-up appmnts.

My local Dr. rang and finally, they found my notes. I got a letter from Gastro and thought it was for

my CT. No, it was a follow-up on my Gallbladder op?? I travelled to the Gastro clinic and told them

about the stomach scarring and they agreed that it was their dept. not Respiratory. They referred

me to another Hospital for Camera scan. They picked up a 10 cm Cancer in Oesophagus. The

chances of having surgery, they said was slim because of my COPD and the op is so long.

I'm having an Ultrasound next week and then the Oncologists will decide plan of action.

The delay has been about 4-5 months. Shocking! I wonder if anyone else, has survived this cancer

with no operation, only radiation and Chemo?

[PDM2021]

you’ve been through a lot! My first esoph cancer was found in 2015. I had a 2cm tumour near the stomach junction. I had 6 rounds of chemo after which it was undetectable. It did return 3 years later and chemo and radiotherapy again did the job. All clear again. Unfortunately a third occurrence in 2021 resulted in surgery and once again I’m all clear at the moment.

[Brett77]

I read a story of a woman in the US who rejected surgery and is fine post chemo and radio. My best wishes.

[Spikey]

I've known a couple of people who had inoperable oesophageal cancer and survived for several years with just chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. It will depend to some extent on your age and general level of fitness. Your previous medical history will not help, but shouldn't make it worse.

[purplekey]

hi I had the op 2 years ago. Before that I had the intensive chemo radiation treatment. The reason I had the op was because the ct scan post treatment couldnt tell whether I had cancer still or inflammation. The biopsy after surgery showed the cancer/radiation had killed all the cancer. My cancer was 6cm. I hope this gives you hope. Good luck with your treatment. X

[Janxm]

Yes I had the chemo and radio nearly 5 years ago and then regular therapeutic dilation on the site to widen where the scarring is.

[Meic13]

Radiotherapy was enough to remove squamous cell carvinoma for me.

[Goodlife22]

Hi Ash322

You have certainly been through the mill. I was diagnosed in 2020 and considered unsuitable for surgery. I had chemo radiation and was very well for two years. Cancer returned in 2022 and I was treated with brachytherapy. This resulted in severe inflammation and difficulty with swallowing. I had a stent inserted to dilate the oesophagus and this worked well for me. It seems the brachytherapy has worked and I hope it will give me more time. If the cancer should return, I can have further brachytherapy. May I wish you well with your treatment.

[Ash322 in reply to Goodlife22]

Thank-you for your feedback. Gives me a little hope.

[Ash322 in reply to Goodlife22]

Just had oncologist say 7-8 months. They can only give me Fluorouracil. I’m too weak for more. 😢

[Goodlife22]

You are in my thoughts Ash322. Stay positive.

[Ash322]

Had Oncology meeting and they give me max 7-8 mths. That’s wih one drug Fluorouracil. My body won’t cope with the normal 2-3 drugs. There was a delay of 5 mths in diagnosis cause they lost me from their records. I’m advised by other health professionals to go for Medical Misadventure. That’s if I live long enough. 😢

[Goodlife22]

dear Ash322. I’m so sorry to hear that news. Yes, do stay positive…. Doctors don’t always get it right. You are in my thoughts