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