Cancer in lymph nodes taken during surgery

Hi,

I wasn’t in this position as the removed lymph nodes were all clear. As I result, I was happy to request a reduction in FLOT strength to 75% and stopped after 3 cycles. To be honest, if any of the lymph nodes had shown signs of cancer, I would have struggled through the full four post-op cycles at 100%. Obviously that’ll be your friend’s decision in consultation with his oncologist. Best wishes for his recovery. CB

Hi 

My husband had 33 lymph nodes removed during his esophagectomy two years ago , these were fortunately all clear .However he was still offered four adjuvant  Flot chemo cycles which started 8 weeks after the surgery .He completed two at 100% and then developed a chest infection , so it was decided his body had reached its limit. .He said he found those two post surgery far more difficult to cope with than the four pre op ones .He put it down to his body being weak from the surgery .Two years later everything is looking good regarding the OC but to be honest the chemo took its toll more than the surgery , the adjuvant chemo floored him and he says he’s not recovered from the effects of it yet ! 
Of course this is his experience and your friend could be totally different .

Hope all goes well 

J 

Hi 

I had over 40 lymph nodes removed and one had a tumour in it. It wasn't a surprise as during the staging the surgeon said one lymph node looked cancerous. Those lymph nodes aren't needed as they serve the oesophagus is no longer there.  I had full strength FLOT. I found the first post op FLOT  hardest because I was still recovering from the surgery and I had covid so I was still physically weak but mostly it was mentally tough because I knew what to expect. I managed to pull myself into a more positive frame of mind and the rest wasn't too bad. The fatigue was awful. I ended up with a slight potassium deficiency which they picked up in the blood tests. It made me clumsy. It wasn't bad enough to stop chemo which was good. I'd definitely encourage and support your friend through the post op FLOT.

It's nearly the second year anniversary of my surgery. I'm a little nervous for the next scan in a few weeks and hoping it'll be clear. My surgeon said that recurrence if it's to happen is most likely in the first two years. I feel like I'm mentally holding my breath for the next few years. I'm.also carefully watching the latest rrsearch trials to see what comes out as helping with prevention. 

I had a massage a few months after treatment and the massage therapist said not to have lymphatic drainage massages. I'm not sure if there is any evidence backing this up.

I hope it all goes well for your friend. 

Best wishes  

Sx

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to message me, I am so grateful.

It is just so terrifying and I am not even the one who is going through this. 

I had exactly this - 2 close-by lymph nodes had it, although clear margins around the tumour after my op on 13 October 2023. I had all nodes in the area removed (can't remember how many). On 13 December 2024 I had my third third clear scan and a perfectly healthy endoscopy.

I am on the SARONG trial, in the intensive follow-up cohort, so scans every six months and a yearly endoscopy for five years. I'm also on the Add-Aspirin trial. I feel fantastic!

I completed all four post-op chemo rounds at 80% (I only ever had one 100% dose at the beginning and ended up in hospital with sepsis, so all my remaining pre and post op chemo was at 80%), despite feeling the most ill I have ever felt in my life, but in my mind I wouldn't have forgiven myself if it came back. Obviously I'm hoping this run of good health and luck will continue. My next check is already scheduled for 25 May :-) 

Hi Nicky

I'm in the SARONG trial too, what is the Add-Aspirin trial?

Hi  Nicky 

just reading your profile wow what a journey you have had !  Very interesting hope all goes well with the trials I did watch that program and thought it was amazing ! 
just starting my journey all going to plan at the moment 

take care

Tricia 

Hi nicky I am so glad you are doing so well! my friend also was told cancer removed (stage 3)  and clear margins but 2/37 LM had cancer. They said they did not stage them but the likelihood would be that they would have been very local to the cancer but as with anything they cannot be sure. He is due to start chemo flot x 4 as previous I believe. I can see the fear in him and I think this has really set him back as he was on the belief that this was no longer curative? he was not told this for clarification, there is just so much to take in all of the time isnt there.  so I am trying to be positive around him.  I am going to share your story with him later on and thank you so so much for this and I hope you have continued help.

Hi 

Can you reassure your friend that it is quite usual to have some localised lymph nodes to contain cancerous cells.

The post op chemo is done to "mop up" any possible remaining cancerous cells as a "belt and braces" approach.

I'm in exactly the same position and am currently on session three of the post-op FLOT 

Anthony 

Ah thank you so much Anthony! I hope you are doing okay. I am so pleased to be able to share these posts later! THANK YOU ALL