Need Infomation On Esophageal Cancer

Hi, My brother who is 46 has just been diagnosised with stage 1 esophageal cancer.  He started having trouble swallowing, pain in the shoulder area, stuttering alittle, nervous lately, and when they did the scope they found a large tumor.  He goes in this week for a pep scan and then to remove as much of the tumor by doing just a upper GI.  Then the doctor said he would get with us next Monday to go over the plan?  We have never had caner in our family before, we are very worried and praying that the cancer cells have not devided etc., He does not drink or smoke.  He is a diabetic.  I was looking up information and came across this web site.  So I thought I would see if anyone else on the site can fill me in.  Thank you ...

 

On 2/17/2008 jackiec39 wrote:

Hi, My brother who is 46 has just been diagnosised with stage 1 esophageal cancer.  He started having trouble swallowing, pain in the shoulder area, stuttering alittle, nervous lately, and when they did the scope they found a large tumor.  He goes in this week for a pep scan and then to remove as much of the tumor by doing just a upper GI.  Then the doctor said he would get with us next Monday to go over the plan?  We have never had caner in our family before, we are very worried and praying that the cancer cells have not devided etc., He does not drink or smoke.  He is a diabetic.  I was looking up information and came across this web site.  So I thought I would see if anyone else on the site can fill me in.  Thank you ...

Hello jackiec39,

I'm sorry to hear that your brother has been diagnosed with EC. I was 54 when I was. I had surgery and now am cancer free and doing well.

I won't go into the possible treatments - your doctor will do that - however, be sure to get multiple opinions and choose carefully. No matter what treatment is chosen you will find people on this site that have experience with it and whom will give you information, advice, and support. Be sure to let us know what you find out.

Good Luck,

Steve

I'm sorry about your brothers diagnosis.  But, stage 1, you are in a wonderful stage.  The key to his treatment is he must have his surgery done at a hospital that does lots of these surgeries.  As the other poster said, get more than one opinion and question the doctor.  The surgery is very serious, but at stage one, he should recover completely if he has a good surgeon.  Good luck! Post often and let us know what is going on with you and your family, especially your brother will be in my prayers.  I had stage two in April 04 with lymph node involvement and I am fine so far.

Gerri

My husband was diagnosed with Stage 1 Esophageal Cancer May of 2006. He was scheduled for surgery to remove his esophagus in June at the recommendation of his gastroenterologist. I did research online and found another procedure that is the standard for early esophageal cancer in Japan. Japan detects esophageal cancer much earlier than the US, as they do routine upper GI tests. In the US we do not usually find it early, but that is changing with the awareness of Barrett's. (EMR) Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, is much less evasive and does not require surgery. It basically clips off the cancer from the esophagus wall with a tool attached to an endoscope. We choose John Hopkins, Doctor Marcia Canto. She is one of the best in the world and has studied in Japan for many years on these procedures. Mike had the ERM procedure and then another additional procedure (PDT) Photo Dynamic Treatment, to just make sure we got all the cancer. There are a couple of newer procedures that do much the same thing as PDT. It just depends on your situation. His treatment was done Aug 2006. Every three months he was checked and then it was every 6 months. He just had his year and half check up – ALL CANCER FREE. Dr. Canto is writing a 10 year study on these treatments and there is starting to be more awareness throughout the country. Her studies shows that there is a 93% cure rate - this includes early cancer and pre cancer patients. For more information on EC - here is link Link to Johns Hopkins info: http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu Look up EC and go to treatment. So, there is hope! He is looking and feeling as good as ever! If you would like any additional information you can reply to this message and I will get back to you. There have been a few people that have contacted me through the board and have gone through the same treatment. If the stage is truly 1, these treatments are much less evasive and you still retain your same quality of life. God Bless! Kim NOTE: THIS IS FOR EARLY EC. 0-1 STAGE- ONLY PRESENT IN THE MUCOSA - Limited presence in SUBMUCOS