Help Needed Please

My husband was diagnosed with cancer at the cervical of the esophagus. This was after having laryngeal cancer and undergoing 35 radiation, 2 chemo and laryngectomy with reconstruction of his throat 15 months ago.

When we met with the medical oncologist he said that Joe would be undergoing 4 chemo treatments, once a week of carboplatin. Now he is telling us that we misunderstood him and that he would have the chemo weekly while undergoing radiation. He has had 14 radiation treatments and 3 chemo. Is this the way they do it? We know that the tumor is small and hasn't spread (as of 4/20 when a PET/CT scan was done). It was discovered during a procedure to insert a TEP.

We were also told that surgery is not really an option due to complications from his previous surgery and radiation. Surgery could be done but right now 4 doctors all agreed that the radiation and chemo is the way to go due to the size of the tumor. Who would do this type of surgery? My husband is 75 and had been in good health until 2010 when the largyneal cancer was found. My concern is that he is already loosing weight and that is something he can't afford to do. Always has been too skinny for his height. Yes he has a PEG tube and is using is due to all the mucus and throat swelling. I am also worried about all the radiation and his carotid arteries. 

Can radiation/chemo cause the esophagus to have spasms?  He has difficulty getting what he can eat and drink to go down.  He says it hangs up and then comes back out his mouth, not all the time.

Any information and help would be greatly appreciated.

Sharon

My 58 year old husband Joe passed away 10 months ago from EC but the tumor was in the GE junction of his esophagus...where it attaches to the stomach and it had already metastasized to his liver by the time he was diagnosed. Joe was told that if the cancer was only in his esophagus they could have done surgery to cut out the cancerous part and reattach the stomach to the remaining stup of the esophagus. Because his had gone into his liver surgery and radiation were not a choice. Of course my husband's case was different from yours because this was Joe's first bout with cancer. I'm not a doctor but I do work in the medical field and I think you should go get a second opinion. Go to a hospital that specializes in cancer. Sometimes that can make all the difference in the world. I will be keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs and Prayers

JackieJo

Sharon

I would think this is a case that should have a second opinion from a strong Cancer Hopsital that does the esophagectomy surgery. Memorila SLoan Kettering in New York and MD Anderson in Houston Texas would be two institutions I would think have the ability to handle your husbands case. There are otehrs and deepending on where you are located there would be otehr options. A second opinion woudl also be advisable.

There is a web site that may be helpful www.fightec.org . This is the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation web site.

YOu indicated he has had 35 radiation treatments for his prior condition and has had 14 more for his esophageal problem. I would have a second opinion look at this as well.

I can recommend Dr Bains at Sloan Kettering for the esophagectomy surgery. Dr Bians did my surgery and I am here 12 yeasr post surgery.