Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer w/mets to liver

My brother was dx with Stage 4 EC in Oct. 2011. He has mets to the liver and bone. After the first round of chemo the tumor in the esophagas has shrunk, but the liver showed more tumors, plus they had grown. The scan after second round of chemo, with herceptin added showed liver tumors still growing and tumor in esophagas growing again. We were told that 3rd round chemo has less that a 5% chance of being successful. Conferred with a different group of drs who recommended y-90 to hopefully shrink the liver tumors and add 6-12 months to his life. Has anyone done this and been successful. He is very sick and fatigued and not sure if he wants any more treatment unless he has a really good chance of feeling better...not just adding length to his life. He is 61 years old and just lost his wife to cancer in Dec. of 2010. It is breaking my heart to see him go through this. Any help would be appreciated.

Just wanted to tell you I'm sorry you're going through this. My Dad age 59 was just diagnosed with the same thing. He finished his first chemo treatment last Saturday and he's feeling so bad. I hate this. I'm not familiar with the Y-90 but if your brothers up for it he should try it. How was his bone cancer detected? My Dads upper shoulder is hurting so bad but we were only told his cancer is definitely is his liver, and lungs. Primary tumor is in he gastroesophageal junction.

Thank you for your reply. I am so saddened that there are so many people going through this, but also so thankful that we are here together for support and information.

They found the spot on my brothers bone when they did the last pet scan a couple weeks ago. Right now his biggest problem is his liver. They said they cannot radiate the esophagas, bone and liver, so they treat the worst area. They said they have had good luck with the procedure they're wanting to do now. They put y-90 radioactive beads directly into the liver tumors and hopefully it will shrink or at least slow down their growth. This is not supposed to have as many side effects as chemo. And, since more chemo will probably not help he is so worn down from it that he will not try it again.

I will pray that your dad's chemo is successful and that God gives you and your family the strength and comfort you need.

 

My Dads liver is in bad shape! It's covered in lesions. But they are not mentioning radiation at this point. His stomach hurts and the doctor said its from his liver. He's taking pain pills. Honestly my Dads primary tumor is so small the doctors are shocked how bad his liver looks from the metastatic tumors. I hope your brother tries the radioactive beads.......you never know unless you try. I hope my Dad has the opportunity to get those when his chemo is done. Does your brother have cancer in his lungs?

No cancer in the lungs at this point. My brother is taking pain pills as well, and is extremely fatigued. It is so hard to see him like this. I wish there was more that could be done. The drs have said that they cannot cure him, but if this new treatment works and he can feel better he will at least be able to do some things he enjoys. Right now having some good days would be a blessing.

Does he have upper back pain?

Not that he has mentioned.His pain is in the liver area. He has been getting really sick at night as well. Since it's been 4 weeks since he's had chemo, the dr said that it is the cancer that is making him sick.

I'm so sorry you guys are all going through this.  What are the survivor stories out there?  What is the best hospital?  Have you guys heard of any clinical trials?

How is your dad doing?  My dad had the same cancer.  He passed away on April 5th.  My prayers are with your family. This cancer is just awful to fight.

Just wanted to mention that  back / shoulder pain is a symptom of EC - also at the sternum. I think the tumor kind of draws your chest in and your shoulders over.