Adenocarcinoma of the lower oesophagus

[Redlodge111]

Can this be treated with targeted therapy such as Herceptin ( I am not aware of the presence of HER 2 ) but have been told that the surgical option would kill my husband who is 75 yrs old even though CT scan shows no spread . He has not had a PET scan.

[Stewh]

I had the Ivor Lewis surgery in November last year aged 70, and it didn't kill me. The surgery took 10 1/2 hours, and was pretty brutal, but I recovered well.

Unfortunately the Surgeons didn't manage to remove all the cancer cells, and another tumour has since grown. I'm undergoing 5 weeks of radiotherapy and chemo.

If you husband is strong then surgery is probably the best option. I wish you both well.

[Redlodge111 in reply to Stewh]

Thanks for that and we wish you well, but they have said that surgery is not for him

[phil in reply to Redlodge111]

This is a very serious evasive operation on the body and the reasons the Surgeons are not offering surgery could be your Husbands health issues. It could be respiratory or cardiovascular problems that is causing them concern.Herceptin is well researched and is currently being used successfully in many areas.

But if it was me I would request a second opinion because age should be no barrier for surgery

My best wishes to you both

Phil

[Redlodge111 in reply to phil]

Thank you Phil