Third time oesophageal cancer

[Joseph84]

I have just been diagnosed for the third time with oesophageal cancer, unfortunately I have run out of options as I’ve had the operation and radical chemo radiotherapy the consultant said my case is very rare, I was wondering if anyone has heard of anyone in the same situation.

[slobjohnb]

What a shame, your condition might be rare but that is no consolation for you. I am sure that the Consultant will be doing his best and won't give up on you. Wishing you all the very best, good luck.

[Mauser1905]

Very sorry to know about your rare condition.

Obviously your surgeon must have discussed options, my gut feeling says is there not a option to surgically remove remaining oesophaegus and probably use a portion of the duodenum to make for the gap? Unless off course the tumour has infiltrated beyond the tissue to be removed and therefore this option not being useful.

Wish you all the best with your fight. Stay strong. Good luck.

[monikaf]

Hi Joseph84, have you asked about immunotherapy, possibly offered in clinical trials?

I myself had throat cancer 5 years ago, surgically removed. 2 years ago it came back in the same place, again surgery. 1 year ago esophageal cancer, discovered during check-up due to throat cancer. All squamous cell. A doctor told me, it sometimes comes in different places, so even after chemoradiation and surgery I don't feel on the safe side now.

Did a lot of reading and immunotherapy seems to be a real chance when cancer has spread. I, however, don't know if it is given for local recurrence. But I would ask for a second or even third opinion. As Mauser said, maybe you find an experienced surgeon who can remove the tumor.

I wish you all the best, let us know!

Monika

[Alan_M]

I do know of somebody who developed oesophageal cancer around ten or more years after the first successful surgery, certainly long enough for it to be regarded as a completely independent cancer. The second was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is so unusual that there are not really any rules to go by.

I think it would all depend on the analysis (eg TNM) this time round.

[Joseph84 in reply to Alan_M]

Alan, the Consultant said as I’ve had the operation 25years ago, then I had the radical chemo radiotherapy I have had my limit in radiotherapy, he is sending me to the Oncologist to see what he suggest he said he might not even offer chemo, I had my pet ct scan yesterday so just waiting for appointment. I was alright for 18 years then I was diagnosed again. 2 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer which I had chemo and radiotherapy so I often wonder if that had any thing to do with it.

[Alan_M]

I think some people just seem to get far more than their fair share of these things!

The modern radiotherapy machines are designed to be as accurate as possible and without creating too many stray beams or risk of any further problems.

Sometimes there can be procedures to remove surface tumours with an endoscope rather than surgery but it would all depend on how far it has progressed. It does take them some time to analyse everything after the scans. It might feasibly make a difference if it were squamous cell rather than adenocarcinoma.

It probably is difficult to get your head round having cancer diagnosed for the third time (and I dare say it is difficult for others as well), but I think it might just be a case of steadily going through the process - that you know only too well - and finding out what can be done treatment-wise. I think that there are so few cases from patients who were also treated 25 years ago that there are no rules to go by.

I do wish you all the best. It must feel like you are having to gather your strength and resilience all over again, making the best of it that you can and keeping your hopes positive but realistic.

[Joseph84 in reply to Alan_M]

Hi Alan, they offered me Argon Ablation for my treatment I had the first one on the 22nd of November, I have the next one on the 25th of this month, he reckons I have to have every 8 weeks.

[Debbiewallis]

Oh you poor thing ..... heartfelt thoughts and positive prayers for you xx