Oesophageal cancer experiences

[Neverendingdust]

Hi all, a family member is currently undergoing tests for Oesophageal cancer and I’m just wondering if anyone here had any experience of dealing with this and how quickly things progressed. I appreciate every case is different but after experiencing the horrible cancer death of my mum I’m keen to be prepared for what we could reasonably expect to happen and how quickly things may progress.

His Symptoms are sudden drastic weight loss, struggling to swallow most foods and keep it down, back pain in the shoulder blades, slightly yellowed complexion, pain in ribs, constipation, depleted energy levels. Obviously without an actual diagnosis this is all speculative Dr Google pretty much offers no other alternative plus he’s a smoker. He mentioned today the onset of early symptoms a few months ago that may have been warning signs in hindsight. He’s in his mid 60s.

I know the prognosis is not good once it metastasises to other areas but what are the outcomes if caught early enough? The yellowed complexion has me concerned and the drastic weight loss is quite shocking given the short period of time.

Any input would be most appreciated thank you.

A friend was diagnosed and went on to have treatment and then a long and complicated surgery and is currently cancer free.

I don’t know all the details as we live at opposite ends of the country, but I do know that he is well and enjoying life.

The above said, it’s my understanding that my friend was lucky to be diagnosed early.

Sorry I can’t be of more help but I do wish you luck and strength for the journey that lies ahead. X

A good friend of mine is now 10 years post stage 3 oesophageal cancer. She puts her survival down to finding the best possible surgeon to operate on her. It was massive surgery and took her a very long time to recover but she’s fighting fit now. Stage 4 I’m afraid I never very good.

I'm sorry your relative is having investigations due to possible oesophageal cancer. As with any cancer, I think it depends a lot on how soon it's identified.

My FIL was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2015. He was a lifelong smoker and had been having symptoms for six months before he went to the doctor and when he eventually did go it had already spread to his lungs, although they didn't know that for sure at the time. There was mention of some 'spots on his lungs', about which I was highly suspicious, but other family members didn't seem to understand the potential seriousness of this.

Anyway, he had a very intensive course of chemo, which shrunk the large tumour in his oesophagus, but it could not be removed, due to its location. He was in poor shape during and immediately after this round of chemo - he had a lot of nausea, became very weak, hair fell out, using a walker, unable to eat much. He started round two, but it made him so weak he fell in the shower and broke his hip. The op and recovery for that meant the chemo had to be paused and the cancer came back with a vengeance. He died 20 months after diagnosis. It's a horrible cancer if it isn't identified at any early stage.

Hi there. First of all I'm really sorry you are experiencing this.
Unfortunately what you describe doesn't sound good.

Oesophageal cancer is really difficult to treat even in the early stages. The operation is massive and carries a huge complication rate. Alternative option is chemo radiation for early stage and can be excellent treatment for early stage.

My concerns would be the yellowing may suggest spread to the liver and rib pain suggests spread to the bones as well as raised calcium level giving abdominal pain.

Any cancer, once it has spread is no longer curable. Oesophageal cancer, even with palliative chemotherapy has a poor prognosis of under one year.

Hopefully I'm wrong but wanted to give you an honest answer.

Xx

Thank you all for replying. Early diagnosis is the key and in this instance I fear that ship may have now sadly sailed. Now it’s just a case of waiting for the official confirmation.

My mums decline and passing seemed to go on forever, she had Ovarian which had metastasised including the brain but it wasn’t a rapid death, rather it seemed to take away a little more every passing week for her last two years. Is Oesophageal prognosis shorter due to it being linked to eating and nutrition?