CancerCompass message board discussion started by Barkley on 1/13/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,19688,0.htm Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My father was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer in late December 2007.  Since then he has had 2ct scans, a PET scan, countless blood tests and a scope of his esphogus.  He has a 3 centimeter growth at the base of his esophagus.  On January 25th he will have a Endoscopic Ultrasound.  Then we meet with the surgeons again.  Dad is 83 and otherwise in good health.  He has not had any pain, trouble swallowing or lose of appetite.  It seems like everything is going so slow.  I need advise. What else should I be doing, what  is ahead of us. Any help would be appreciated. Barkley Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/13/2008 Barkley wrote:My father was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer in late December 2007.  Since then he has had 2ct scans, a PET scan, countless blood tests and a scope of his esphogus.  He has a 3 centimeter growth at the base of his esophagus.  On January 25th he will have a Endoscopic Ultrasound.  Then we meet with the surgeons again.  Dad is 83 and otherwise in good health.  He has not had any pain, trouble swallowing or lose of appetite.  It seems like everything is going so slow.  I need advise. What else should I be doing, what  is ahead of us. Any help would be appreciated.Barkley,I am sorry to hear about your Dad. My 73 year-old dad was diagnosed with Stage IV EC the end of December . It is my understanding that an EUC is done to determine if the primary tumor has grown into the wall of the esophagus and how far into the wall it has gone. This information helps to determine your dad's plan of treatment. I understand your feelings of urgency and they are very valid. If there is no way to get the EUC performed earlier, concentrate on finding out as much as you can about EC. You have obviously been doing that already or you wouldn't have found this board. I ordered a book from amazon.com that has been very helpful. It is 100 Questions and Answers About Esophageal Cancer by Ginex, et.al. It is full of vital information yet it is very easy to read and understand. Hope this helps. It is a very good sign that your dad has not had any symptoms. Usually the first symptom of EC is painful swallowing or food getting stuck and the cancer may already be at an advanced stage by that point. Good luck and God Bless! GeorgesGirl Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for your response.  You are the first person that I have spoke to that is not a doctor and has an understanding about EC. God Bless you and thank you. Barkley Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/14/2008 Barkley wrote:Thank you so much for your response.  You are the first person that I have spoke to that is not a doctor and has an understanding about EC. God Bless you and thank you.You know, prior to Daddy getting sick I had heard of "throat" cancer but never EC. It's really amazing how EC is one of the least known kinds of cancer. It's very scary and lonely when you are grasping for information to try to help and care for a loved one. This message board has been very helpful in my quest for information and advice. I am glad I could return the favor!God Bless GeorgesGirl Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT i was also dx, in december,  2-3 cm tumor lower 1\3 of esophegus, pet scan and eus dx was stage II , have not got any treatment yet. I have met with surgeon and two more dr. in couple of days treament should start soon. I had no symptoms, found ec by accident. jabber Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT