Hello . I have stage 4 oesophageal cancer and have had one round of immunotherapy with cisplatin and capecitibine. After a week I had severe chest pain which was diagnosed as a cardiac spasm. Because of this I think they are going to take me off this regime and put me on second line chemo. I’m not convinced it was cardiac spasm but that it was heartburn. But I think the oncologist is going to err on the side of caution and change the regime. I really don’t want to this for several reasons - I will be excluded from most clinical trials, I have had a good response ,being able to eat normally after just a few days. I also do not want to die with no hair as my mother did. Seems very superficial but important to me. Is there any one else who has had a similar experience? Thank you.
Hi Nattalie
Welcome to the forum, I am sorry to read of you diagnosis, and that you are concerned that you may be taken off of immunotherapy due to a suspected cardiac spasm.
I understand why you would be concerned, it is important to you and to your future treatment - I don't know a great deal from a medical perspective but I would hope that before any decisions were made that you would be offered an echo scan to see how your heart is doing? Is it something that you have considered asking for?
I am sure that the oncologist will ensure they have all the facts before deciding what the next action can be. as anxious as this time must be for you, I am hoping that you will be able to to receive some positive news soon, and if you are worried, please ask to speak with your chemo nurse or call the Macmillan hotline, maybe they are the better people to ask your questions to..
Please feel free thought to keep us updated.
Good Luck
Lowe'
