Treatment not a cure

I'm so sorry to read this!

My father in law 71yrs has just been told exactly the same thing - that it is inoperable even before starting any treatments!

We've not been given a stage yet but it has spread to lymph nodes, not spread to any other organ.

The nurse said that because it's spread to lymph nodes that's why it is inoperable but i questioned that if chemo and radio therapy were sucessful!?

Have you started treatment yet? Please keep me informed if you do get a second opinion

Hello ejc, was due to start chemotherapy last week but delayed till next week, will let you know.Waldorf.

Hope it goes ok xx

Dear Waldorf, 

So sorry to hear about your treatment plan. 

I think your doctors should explain to you the reasons why they consider your cancer inoperable?

I was initially diagnosed T4aN2M0 with 6 cancerous lymph nodes. And they were considering putting me on a curative treatment pathway. After explorative laparoscopic surgery they saw my tumour was resting on my diaphragm and my cancer had not spread to my diaphragm they offered me curative treatment (FLOT chemo --> surgery --> FLOT chemo) in 2018 and I'm now in remission. 

However the first hospital I went to (via my GP) mis-diagnosed me as having had a heart attack and didn't spot my 5cm tumour! 

There can be lots of reasons why your doctors consider your cancer inoperable including cancer type, location, your health, etc. But I would want a second opinion. I would do some research, find a hospital near you that specialises in oesophageal cancer and request a second opinion. 

I was offered 12 months if untreated or half life of 3 years if treated. 

If your second opinion is the same there are some clinical trials that may be worth investigating?

Wising you all the best at this worrying time. 

Thank you so much Anon613

Hi Waldolf

So sorry to read of your diagnosis, did you ask regarding time scale?

My Husband was diagnosed in May, he did ask and was told months, or months and months.... but the more I read both on this forum and in the world of OC, the more I feel that the treatment for this type of diagnosis has vastly improved over the past two years.

My Husband is palliative, inoperable, but he is extremely well 6 months on.... long may that continue...he refuses to be tied down to time frames and has a highly positive attitude.. I know that is not always possible, but it works wonders for him...

Second opinions are always worth it..  I too would be interested in knowing whether you take that option.

Good Luck, and Strength sent your way

Lowe'

Get a second third fourth fifth opinion - your willpower is the most important thing in this journey along with knowledge and treatment

I am just finished 25 Radiotherapy sessions and final stages of chemo for T3 N2 M0 after a 3rd opinion diagnoised April 2019 had FLOT treatment May June - then again Sept 2020 when tumour grew back in June 2020 - I also changed my diet in 2019 and went on Budwig Protocol and additional protocols including electrolysis Bobbeck.com

I did not want the operation In June 2019 as my father had it in 1998 and did not make it so that was a personal decision for me -and it was all I was offered until I found out I could do radio/chemo Sept 2019 

the radio chemo is a battle but mind over matter - and it is working well my cancer markers CA19 have dropped from 47 to 7 and I am beginning to eat food again along with the Fortisip.

everyone is unique but I would encourage you to kick up a storm and get  it seen to next week or asap - do not take NO for an answer from anyone 

good luck and let me know how you get on

John 

Thank you all for the replies, I will keep you updated.

Kind regards Waldorf

Hi Anon 

im not sure what is going on after reading your article . I have asofagus cancer and went through chemo and radiotherapy with the object of having surgery early January . I have now had a pet scan and they say I have about 5 or 6 small nodes one in my lung so they will not be doing surgery now but want to give me 18 weeks of chem after Christmas with no operation .  Can you understand that I’ve seen on here that someone else had some cancerous nodes that was still given the surgery .  Cheers