Hi my very close friend has recently been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer he is only 58. They have found a 4cm tumor in his lower oesophagus. He has pain in his chest and round his back. He is finding that food feels like it is getting stuck. He has a CT scan next week and I am so scared it has spread. I have never had any experience with this and just wondered if anyone has any positive experiences
Just because he has pain does not mean it’s necessary spread,I have pain in my back and chest and am unable to eat anything as oesophagus totally blocked ! But all my endoscopes and scans etc have shown that it has not spread so am now waiting to start chemo.
its natural that you will worry but please try to stay positive you will find some inspirational stories on this site and everyone is so helpful.
Thank you so much for replying. I really do appreciate the supportive message. He has his scan in a week so fingers crossed he can start treatment. I have no idea about tumours but 4cm seems big to me so I don’t know if they will be able to operate.
Hi. The symptoms your friend has seem to be much the same as everyone describes who gets initially diagnosed. The CT scan will provide some more information wrt the tumour but this will still be a precursor to a full diagnosis. He will have a PET scan fairly shortly afterwards to determine if there is any spread and this latter will be the key to determine which path the medics will advise for him. Yes, there are lots of positive stories on this site and lots of support for others with less positive news. It is by no means the end of the world but it certainly is not an easy journey going forward either. I do hope your friend is among the lucky ones who can be directed down a curative route.
I was first told that my endoscopy has shown cancer cells on the 4th Oct I was then admitted to hospital as I was unable to eat whilst there I had a CT scan a ultrasound endoscopy and then a PET CT scan then a laparoscopy where they fitted my jej feeding tube I have been home for 4 weeks. Hope to start chemo next week but there is a waiting list so I’m waiting for a cancellation,
they do a staging which you can find details of on this site I’m T4M0N0 which means the tumour has gone to the wall of the oesophagus but not in the lymph nodes or rest of the organs
I’m still very new to this I can’t remember being told the size of my tumour so not sure if 4cm is large but I’m sure someone else on this site will tell you I’m told I’m on a cureative path and after chemo I hope to have surgery then more chemo well that’s the plan !,
Thank you. All we know at the moment is the tumour is in the Lower oesophagus and possibly adenocarcinoma. He gets a lot of pain especially after eating. Mainly chest and back. I am pleased to hear you are on the curative path and I hope you get to start your chemo soon. Take care
