Squamous cell cancer - upper oesophagus

Hi Skylar,

I'm sorry that your dad has been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. I had squamous cell carcinoma in the middle part of my oesophagus in 2021. I had radical chemoradiation (chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the same time). Towards the end of the 5 weeks of radiotherapy my oesophagus became inflamed and swallowing became more difficult again, but luckily that did ease off. I can eat most things but have to take small bites and chew everything very thoroughly. However your dad's tumour is much higher than mine was and that might make a difference? 

How did you get on with the oncologist today? 

Take care,

Amanda 

Thank you for replying, it means a lot. 

The oncologist has decided that my dad will just do radiotherapy not chemo like we were previously told. 

I know they seem to be reluctant to give people over 70 chemo but my dad is really fit and apart from his tumour he is fit and well.

Is radiotherapy enough to treat cancer or do you stand a better chance with both. 

He is having his RIG fitted on the 14th March and then waiting for the rest to start. 

it is lovely to hear that you are able to eat most things now, it does give us some hope that just maybe my dad will be able to have his coffee that he is dreaming about.

Hi, As you will see with my details I have had 2 cancers however the second -OS cancer they discovered from a 3 monthly check up scan, I was 72 then and I had both – 6 Chemo and 35 RT, there was no question of age in the treatment plan and bearing in mind the scan was for my 1^st cancer, My Consultant for the ENT said it was lucky I declined RT after the Laryngectomy as I would not have been able to have the treatment for the OS. My cancer in the OS was midway but the RT did affect my windpipe quite badly.

I am now on 4 monthly scans and reviews but touch wood am in good health just to give you and your Husband hope and assurance it is treatable. He will be in quite a poor way with the RT, I managed all through my treatment until the last 3 and then I was floored for 2 weeks, however I was very lucky I managed to eat and swallow all the way through but still lost 12 Kgs

Either way I hope all goes well and don’t forget we are here for support and you will find the Oncology Team are usually brilliant at supporting both of you

Take care
Tony

Lead Volunteer for Hampshire Macmillan Buddy Support

Thank you for your reply and giving us some hope. I just wish treatment would start soon but hopefully once his RIG is fitted things will move along. 
I am going to speak to them about chemo again and see what they say. 

Hi Skyla. In November I was diagnosed with Stage 4G3 SCC,tumour 36cm down, nodules spread to lungs. They had no hesitation giving me chemo, I am now 75. During Round 3 of 6 I had a CT Scan which showed the tumour has shrunk and the cancer has disappeared from my lungs. Do not give up hope!

Thank you, I will speak to his oncologist tomorrow and explore chemo more with him.

Thank you for your message and I am so glad you are having positive results.