Grandpa has Stage 4 Esphogeal Cancer Need Advice

So sorry to hear that your grandfather has this cancer. My husband wascdiagnosed in august 2015 in the same area and had chemo and radiotherapy and this had good results for him. But we are in the uk and it seems that in usa the treatment plans are often completely different so i cant advise really. I just wanted to let you know that you will be well supported in this group and there is also the esophageal cancer awareness group in the usa which would probably know more about the american system. Wishing you and your family all the very best. Lesley

Dear Peter. I'm sorry to hear about your grandad. My husband also has oesophageal cancer in the junction between the oesophagus and the stomach, which is small cell. They say it's rare to get small cell in the oesophagus as usually found in the lung. Any way he is having radical chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in which has shrunk the tumour by 50%. This was after the 2nd lot of chemo. the tumour is now 3.5 cms and he on his 4th lot of chemo and radiotherapy finishes January, and last chemo will end in Feb. Considering when he was 1st diagnosed in September this year, they gave him 2 months, and now saying they are going for a curative outcome. So stay positive and get grandpa to eat healthy, im sure he will get through this. It is a long road but with family support and the hospital team, his in good hands.

Kindest wishes

Tina

You are a good grandson.

Hug your grandpa, tell him how much you love him. Take care of grandma. Just be available and supportive.

hugs

Peter,

My heart goes out to you & your family. My Dad was diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer back I'm October of 2015. Like you I am here in the States , so maybe I can help some. Of the top of my head I can't remember the chemo medications he was given, but will more than happily look them up for you. I only know what my Dad went through, and what his doctors, here in Orange County California, told us. I'm very very lucky, my Dad is now Cancer Free. He started Radiation & Chemo the 2nd week of December 2015, and continued both for 6 weeks. After those 6 weeks of treatment, they scheduled him for another pet scan & another endoscopic ultrasound. When the results (about 4 weeks after radiation & chemo) came back, we met with his doctors again. My Dad's treatment went extremely well, so they then scheduled him for surgery. I'm not sure if esophageal surgery is widespread through out the US or World Wide. On March 1st of 2016 he went in for surgery in Mission Viejo, California. From what the Hospital staff, along with his doctors, told us that this is the Biggest & toughest surgery they do. They removed my Dad's esophagus, since the cancer hadn't spread anywhere else, and made a new esophagus from his stomach. They also used some of his upper large intestines & made, a much smaller, stomach for him. When I talked to the his main surgeon, he had both a Thoracic Surgeon & a "General" Surgeon (was the main surgeon), he told me it was the Best surgery they had ever done. Like I said my Dad fought hard, but was also really really lucky too. When they went in to remove his esophagus, they saw that both of his tumors (both T3), had been killed completely by his radiation & chemo treatments. My Dad was in the hospital for 15 days of recovery, then sent home with nurses coming daily for a couple weeks. Recovery was rough at home, but thank God my Dad is sitting here next to me today! I've recently started reading more deadly into this type of cancer & I'm so Greatful & Thankful that my Dad has come out with just a few (visible) scars. Peter I will be happy to share anything I have in my Dad's medical files, or my notes from his appointments, that might be helpful. I hope and pray that all of your, and all if those on this forums loved ones, beat this horrible cancer in 2017!! Best to you all