DH has an oesophageal tumour...

[Inaminutenow]

DH is only 51, we've got two DS 6 and 3 and he has two grown up kids 20 and 23. He'd developed problems with swallowing and lost a considerable amount of weight. Has now been diagnosed, undergoing further tests to see the extent of it all - I'm terrified. Overall general prognosis doesn't seem very good. Have you any experience of this?

AIUI if a tumour is aggressive enough to have spread to a distant location, there's not much benefit in having surgery on the metastases. But palliative chemo and RT can be offered, and a stent can be used. There is always something that can be done to help alleviate discomfort even if it's not curative. But don't get ahead of yourself - you don't know what you're dealing with until you get the PET scan.

Maybe you could check out the thread for people supporting their DP with cancer that was linked above. There's also this patient support organisation for OC, which has a telephone helpline.

Fair
Thought you didn't live in UK. Here , we have only a handful of PET scans - last time I read only 5 in the country and US hundreds.
We use MRI scans and CT scans mostly.

Inaminute I often think that in some ways it must be harder for partners than for the person undergoing the treatment .

The only piece of advice that has stuck in my mind is that you should be led by the person with the diagnosis ,so if they don't want to discuss it ,you don't .
But I'm not really sure if that's helpful ...

Thinking of you .

I said PET scan because that is what OP said ...

Also my grandmother had a PET scan in the UK because she was treated at Addenbrookes, which has one.

No date for PET scan yet; we'll have to go to Cardiff.
Little DS ended up in A&E from school this morning, as he had fallen and banged his forehead; nasty gash on his forehead. Was superglued and butterfly stitched, thankfully no actual stitches required.
DH is eating quite well at the moment, mincing meals down to almost baby food consistency, but he doesn't mind, needs must. I've also bought some fortifying powders, so between everything hopefully he'll put some weight back on.
Have had a read on the other thread re people supporting their DP with cancer - it's a whole different language.