Hello Everyone,
I wanted to give an update on my dad and also ask for some much needed advice. Daddy was diagnosed 12/2007 with EC.CT Scan showed primary tumor in esp., a mass of lymph nodes at the base of the trachea, and a "shadow" on the R lung. The esop., nodes and a solid mass in the R lung lit on the PET scan given a few days later. We then took these results and met with a dr. specializing in gastric/lung cancers. EUS and broncoscopy done 1st week in January 2008. The surgical onc. said that the lymph nodes were cancerous and he could see the path that the cancer took to the lung so it was not necessary to biopsy the mass. We were told the EC had mets to the lung-T4 N1 M1b.
He has now had 4 treatments of cisplatin and irinotecan. He was so sick from the first treatment that he was hospitalized for dehydration and diarrhea. His dose was cut in half after that. A new CT was performed 2/21 to determine if he was responding to chemo. Unfortunately, they could not locate the first CT so they had nothing to compare with the new one. The only thing she could tell us that day was that there was nothing new on the scan, the mass was still in the lung, and it didn't appear to have grown.
The doctor called and said she had called in a thoriatic expert to examine the CTs. We were given wonderful news-the place in the esop. shrank 1 cm (is cm right?) and it now seemed that the mass in the lung was some type of inflammation and may not be cancer after all. However, she was taking it to the tumor board the following day to have it evaluated. Naturally, we felt this was an answered prayer and we were thrilled! The next day the dr. called and said they believed the mass to be some type of inflammation and she wanted to change daddy's next chemo appt. so that we could meet with a radiation oncologist on the same day. (Daddy is still not able to swallow at all). We will go this coming Tuesday to meet with him.
This brings me to the part where we need some advice. 1-I want to know without a shadow of a doubt that the lung is not cancer. In Dec. they believed it was cancer, and now they don't. I don't know if they are planning a biopsy or not. 2-If it is not cancer then how does this change his prognosis? I am guessing that he would be stage III and the cluster of nodes would be a local mets.? Is she still saying palliative care or is she now going for a cure? If palliative then is radiation the best option to shrink the tumor so that he can swallow? Here is my concern-From what I have read, radiation seems to very tough. Chemo has been pretty tough already. If he still won't be a candidate for surgery then why not do photo dynamic therapy or the alcohol injection? Neither of these have been mentioned by the dr, I have researched them on my own. Has anyone opted for one of these rather than radiation to open the esophagus? It seems that she has already decided that radiation with chemo is the next step, but I want to be sure it's the right one.
My parents are relying on me to be the "informed" one. I am trying to do as much research as possible before Tues. so that we will know what questions to ask.
Please, if you have any information that might be helpful for us I'd love to hear from you.
I have said before that this board is a lifeline- and it truly has been. I feel like I have made so many friends even though I have never meet you. I pray for you all each time I pray for my dad.
Thanks for all your help!