Chemoradiotherapy treatment has been successful

I am so pleased for you. Definitive radio chemotherapy is well documented as a curative treatment for squamous cell carcinoma but we do not hear many success stories from patients who cannot undergo surgery in this forum. I have only seen one other. 

I'm so pleased for you. 

I had radical chemoradiotherapy (different chemo to you) in 2021. No operation. So far I'm all clear. I'm due an endoscopy and CT scan soon, and seeing oncologist in Oct, fingers crossed all will be ok. 

Great to hear someone else has had a positive outcome from this treatment plan. 

Amanda 

Yes you are the one I was thinking of x

Thank you Rosiee, 

Thank you Amanda, it is good to hear from someone further along. I too have an endoscopy soon and should see oncologist in October following my next scan.

I hope you continue to receive good results, let us know how you get on.

Sharon

I am being treated with definitive chemoradiation for squamous cell 2cm tumour. Radiotherapy part starts next week. I was deemed high risk for an operation.

At the moment I can swallow as normal but have been warned that swelling and soreness is probable and a feeding tube might be necessary. Has anyone experience of any of this? And what is the healing time likely to be?

Thanks

Sherry

Each patient will be different. I tolerated definitive chemoradiation well. Although like you I was warned about swelling and soreness (usually starting in week 3). My tumour is an adenocarcinoma located at the junction with my stomach and I did not require a feeding tube. 
Best wishes with your treatment.

• My oesophagus became inflamed and very sore in the final week of the 5 weeks radiotherapy. It only lasted a couple of weeks. Your oncologist can prescribe a numbing medicine to take before eating if needed. I had a stomach feeding tube throughout my treatment as my tumour had blocked my oesophagus before I was diagnosed, so I just fed through that. 

Amanda 

Hi Sherry,

The pain and swelling does get worse towards the end of treatment and for a couple of weeks after. I found the numbing medication helped a lot so let them know and don't suffer in silence. I also had soluble co-codamol to help with the pain.

I didn't need a feeding tube, but found a soft diet helped, supplemented with fortisips drinks your dietician can help advise you with that.

Good luck with your treatment, as you can see from my original post my treatment got rid of my tumour 8cm tumour. Mine was also squamous cell.

Sharon

Hi, 

A good new update. I saw my consultant today, 4 years all clear! More tests (CT scan and endoscopy) are booked for 6 months time. So far I've had 14 endoscopies (gastroscopy with dye & biopsies taken), 13 CT scans and 5 PET CT scans. Whilst I appreciate the close monitoring, the scanxiety has been awful at times. 

I still have to be careful about what I eat (bland diet, nothing spicy or too fatty, no fizzy drinks) because my oesophagus is scarred and doesn't stretch like it did before, and I get fits of the burps throughout the day as well as when eating. Today my consultant said this may get worse as time goes on as my oesophagus may become less flexible. But I've still got my oesophagus and I'm grateful for that. 

I hope this gives those who are having chemotherapy & radiotherapy but no operation some hope for the future.

Best wishes to all,

Amanda