My partner has squamous oesophagal carcinoma and is refusing chemo due to side effects. His life expectancy is poor but I was hoping he would take chemo to extend. Has anyone undergone palliative chemo and experienced good results?
Has anyone any advice on whether to h... - OPA Palliative Ca...
OPA Palliative Care & Guidance
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Has anyone any advice on whether to have chemo or not when it is palliative?
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Smokey60
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I had 5F chemo which effected my heart and was changed to a chemo which was used to treat breast cancer. I suffered no side effects and was on radio therapy as well.
My squamous cell cancer was still there 12 months later but I don't as yet have any symptoms a further 12 months later. If your husband gets symptoms he can always stop the treatment.
Hi Magie - I wonder if you don't mind me asking you another question. Did you have symptoms such as pain when eating and excess belching before the chemo?
Hi smokey - As I remember I didn't have pain but sometimes had things (such as some bread) sticking and bouts of belching or hiccups on occasion but not frequently. I had slightly more problems after, which I was told was due to scaring from the radio therapy but that didn't last long and I am now 2 years on waiting for 'symptoms' when I will go for more chemo.
Hope things go well whatever route you choose to take.
Magie
It is not an easy decision, but the medical people are also there to help ease the pain and discomfort. You really want to have a comfortable time for as long as possible. I think that people's reactions to chemotherapy are very individual - it is not compulsory to have all the side effects! Some people seem to have a much better time than others. It does not always work, but when it does, the chemotherapy shrinks the tumour and may well make swallowing easier.
Thanks Alan for the response to both my questions. I will see if he will change his mind as anything to make swallowing easier would be a bonus.
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