Survival rate of esophageal cancer.

[Messiah6980]

Dxd 2 weeks ago. Did a CT scan and ultra sound. Have a mass at bottom of esophagus. Some lymph nodes involved nearby. Did a PET scan .Results not back yet. What is my fate?

[Bernadette100]

I dont know sorry but just wanted to wish you all the best in the forthcoming months..

[hunsdon]

I wish you well think positive

[FKM100]

We're all different, so it's impossible to be sure, but the survival rate is way better than it was, so don't pay too much attention to historic data.

I had much the same diagnosis in 2020. After 8 rounds of chemo (FLOT), a gastro-esophagectomy and a year of trastuzumab (my cancer was HER+), I am still cancer free and there are plenty like me. Indeed, some people on this site are nearing the 15 year mark.

So there is every reason to stay positive and take whatever treatment they offer you. All the best,

Shelley.

[Shortfatbald in reply to FKM100]

couldn’t agree more, I was diagnosed as stage 3 (T3N3).

Had chemo, op them a bit more chemo. That was 6 yrs ago, still cancer free.

I followed the Dr’s advice and recommendations.

All the Best for you journey.

[Deeedals]

worrying time I know but lots of long time survivors here .

I was diagnosed 2021 stage 3 . Chemo, Ivor Lewis op and more chemo and now feeling good with some restrictions to diet.

Wishing you all the luck in the world for your forthcoming journey.

[petercaron]

I wish you the best on your journey.

I was diagnosed in July 3017 with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. In August 2017 I had 28 rounds of radiation and 5 rounds of chemo and then an Esophagectomy in Oct of 2017

,Today, 6 1/2 years later , I remain cancer free and returned to a healthy weight of 165 lbs

I am able to eat 3 meals a day with some snacking each day I can eat and drink just about anything I want with very few issues

My only change that I have is I sleep in a recliner to prevent aspirations that had previously caused a few instances of aspirational pneumonia

I thank my 2 surgeons, my oncologist, and their teams for making my life pretty good after such a devastating diagnosis.

It takes time, but the outcomes can be amazing.

[Popsic]

Hi there, Scary time I know. I was extremely blessed, I had no chemo or radiotherapy, was diagnosed 2012, had op in 2013, full removal, still cancer free. I have spoken to someone who was 20yrs post op and that was 2 yrs after my op. Things are so different now, medicine has advanced so much. I worry daily about it, but , always tell myself, things have changed. Good luck in your journey, stay with this site, we support each other. X

[Messiah6980 in reply to Popsic]

Hi , Thank you for you response. I am trying to help a friend in florida . He has stage 3 and is doing chemo and radiation. He has a small lesion on his liver and a near by cancer on his lymph node and a esophageal tumor near his stomach. Hes at Mofffitt cancer center in Tampa. Surgery will be done later.

[Popsic in reply to Messiah6980]

Hi there,My tumour was at the junction of my stomach / oesophagus , he is very lucky having you to help him. If you can and are given permission too, please keep us updated, I am sure we will all support both of you through this journey x

[murial]

I had the same place cancer as you 15 yrs ago and still going on keep positive you can beat this . Wishing you the best .

[mgloughran1]

I had a similar diagnosis ten years ago at 51 years old. Late stage 3 - T3N3 with local and distant lymph nodes affected. The doctors didn't want to give me any type of survival prognosis, for many reasons that are much more clear to me now than they were at the time - it was frustrating back then, and on top of everything else it caused more stress. But as mentioned in some other replies, every individual and every case is different. After 28 radiation treatments and 6 rounds of chemo (low dose), another challenging part of the journey was waiting between the final treatment and the "after" pet scan, which was the determining factor in whether or not I qualified for esophagectomy. I did and I remain perpetually grateful for that and many other things in my life.

Keep thinking positively, I tried my hardest to do that throughout and I truly believe it helped. I would visualize myself post-treatment every night as I lied in bed, breathing in "health" and breathing out "cancer." Also listen to a playlist I created for myself with music and talks that helped me stay upbeat. There were many down times (and still some today) but my evening routine was as import as any part of my treatment.

You will have a long road ahead if your journey is anything like mine. I still consider this a "new normal," even ten years out. But it has been worth every struggle, every dumping incident, every aspiration, and every other after effect of the treatment. Wishing you all the best!

[HONORIUS]

It’s impossible to prognosticate: but if you’re eligible for (life-changing) surgery, I would say all is good. I underwent three rounds of ECX (FLOT now, I think) followed by an Ivor Lewis in 2015. It’s a major procedure and recovery is concomitantly complex. But here I am: nine years post-op on June 15 and days go by where I almost forget I had cancer, whilst never forgetting my brilliant surgeon and his fantastic team. Stay positive. It’s not a problem until it’s a problem.

[AussiePeterInLondon]

Sorry to hear your news ! It's confronting ! Positive thoughts !!

I was diagnosed T3N0M0 in December 2014. Straight to surgery - Ivor lewis Esophagectomy followed by 6 months of ECX Chemo and I'm still kicking and enjoying life almost 10 years later...... find an Oncologist and Surgeon you like and trust. If they are wanting to proceed to surgery I'd ask him/her how many of the procedures he's proposing does he do on an annual basis - the higher the number the better !

[fortunatus]

The T rating is significant. But provided your friend is operable and the team of gastroenterologist, oncologist and surgeon competent his chances, as the body of replies indicates, are pretty good. But at the same time one has to be realistic: your friend will need courage and luck to get through. I wish him all the very best and look forward to reading his posts in 12 years time (I had my surgery for a T3 tumour in 2012) provided make it to 95!

[hunsdon]

hi I am a 11 year survivor after op it’s not an easy road but well worth it , one day at a time I wish you well x

[spike3]

Hi, I had my ivory Lewis 17yrs ago still going strong so hang in there and think positively. Best wishes.

[Artiquety]

please read my forum x