diagnosis: Stage 2B Esophageal Cancer

Hello All,

I posted about my father's initial diagnosis few days back and received highly motivating responses. Thanks a bunch to all who responded. It was the tough time when the diagnosis was not confirmed but doctors had a strong doubt of EC.

Now after all tests(including PET/CT)the diagnosis is of Stage 2b squamous cell EC in mid esophagus for my father. The lymphnodes involved are in paratracheal region.

After many rounds of discussion with doctors and his case discussion in hosptials tumor board, doctors have put him on chemo-radiotherapy for about 6 weeks.

this will include chemo (cisplatin+5Fu)for 5 weeks as once weekly infusion along with radiation (5 days a week) for 30 sittings. then a repeat of chemo cycle of 4 days.

surgery is not recommended at this time because tracheal lymph nodes are involved and would be a risk.

they are confident to get the cancer into remission with this combination therapy.

His treatment started yesterday and we are keeping our fingers crossed and wishing for complete response and lesser side effects.

I will highly appreciate if anyone has a similar experience and can share the success rates, precautions, risks, anything regarding the same.

Will be of real help.

God Bless!

Sorry it turned out that there is any cancer involved at all. 
On the positive side--- Stage 2B is catching this thing very early.  If surgery is not an option right now then just continue treatment as the doctors recommend and be positive.  I had the surgery, but one of my doctors (the radiologist) said he was sure the cancer was dead without surgery.  Keep trusting and we'll keep praying.

I was a stage 2T, N1, which means a stage 2 with lymphoid involvement.I received Chemo for 9 weeks, 1 major dose in the hospital followed by continuous 24/7 pump, for 3 week intervals. Before Chemo they said I was not a candidate for surgery, but following Chemo I was, so I am sure that is the case with you. It is a long and hard road, but with alot of support and positive thinking  it helps a great deal. I am 13 mths post op and other then a few issues I am doing ok, considering where I was prior to surgery. So please do keep us informed and if you have any questions please ask.

Take Care and Be Positive

Evelyn

Thanks to you for your response. My Father completed his first weekly dose of chemo + 3 sittings of radiation yesterday. today he is feeling tired, not feeling hungry, tasteless mouth, uneasiness, sweating etc. do you all agree that these are the side effects of chemotherapy? any other expected side effects which are common? any suggestions to monitor them and can I in anyway prevent his counts from getting low? I'm concerned because this may cause a break in his treatment. though his counts have been fine so far. Thanks bunch to all you really nice and supporting people! I'm glad to join this board.

There are many side effects of Chemo, and everyone's experiences are different. I know for me food was tasteless, and I had a hard time eating so I ate simple foods, like mashed potatoes, Kraft dinner, the only thing I could drink and still is was water, everything else turned my stomach. I lost my hair and was extremely sick for 1 or 2 days during the Chemo even with the anti-nausea drugs. Make sure he tries to eat even if things taste horriable and drink plenty of fluids and exercise such as walking whatever amount of time he can tolerate these are very important factors.Fatique and tiredness are common also. Hope this helped.

Take Care and Be Positive

Evelyn