Possible esoph

[thesurreyyouth]

Please if you’ve had any experience of diagnosis of cancer in the oesophagus can you try to give some answers. Dh is taking FIL this afternoon for a CT scan following last weeks discovery of what was causing his difficulty & pain when swallowing and weight loss. FIL is relieved to find the reason why as it’s tsken months to get to this stage, so the first question is, does it usually take this long to get a diagnosis? Especially when he fits virtually all the criteria for this cancer - age, pain, huge weight loss, overweight. Will the radiographer be able to discuss findings from the scan today or is it another wait to see the consultant? Once he’s had the scan how long is he looking for a plan of action to be in place? He needs to be made comfortable as the pain on swallowing is getting worse & is distressing him & MIL.
I’m sorry if you’re able to answer any of my questions as it means you’ve experienced this and it may bring back some painful memories but my ILs are in a tailspin and DH would like to know how to support them.
Many thanks

[thesurreyyouth]

Sorry title should say esophagul cancer

[peridito]

I've had esophageal cancer .
My dx was fairly quick - couple of months ,tho I had not lost weight and my symptoms were less severe than those you describe .

I had an endoscopy ,dr told me before I left that I probably had cancer . Couple of weeks for results of biopsy to confirm .

CAT scan days after that , Mtg to confirm treatment plan about a week later . PET scan to confirm size ( I think } of tumour .Failed ultrasound endoscopy ,couldn't pass tumour .Treatment started probably 10 days later .

chemo ,Surgery and more chemo .I'm well know .

This healthunlocked.com/oesophagus is a v helpful and friendly forum .Though I guess it's true that it's more pple posting who have had problems ,than ppl like me who coped well .

Remember that google results for prognosis will be basef on studies carried out several years ago and that treatment and outcomes have improved a great deal .

Happy to answer any question ,PM me if you like .

I'm very sorry that you are all going through this .

[OddBoots]

thesurreyyouth, sorry to hear of your situation, your post was a while ago so I hope your FIL got answers and that it was good news.

peridito, thank you for your post, my dad was diagnosed on Wednesday, we are waiting for a PET scan next week to know the full extent of things but the forum you linked to has been very helpful reading, as has www.opa.org.uk/.