Metastic spread to mediastinal lymph node

Hi AllyL 

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

I see that you're also dealing with anal cancer and I can't begin to imagine how dealing with two different cancers at the same time must be.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnoses and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi AllyL. So sorry to read that you have found out that there has been a spread to the lymph node, after going through successful chemotherapy to eliminate the tumour. I had Chemoradiation for a cancerous Squamous Cell tumour in the Oesophagus in June 2023. I was given 3 weekly infusions of Cisplatin plus daily Capecitabane tablets for 11 weeks, and for the last 5 weeks underwent daily (not weekends) Radiotherapy treatments. I fared quite well overall, with few side effects other than being very tired and fatigued. The side effects of the Radiotherapy did gradually build and I could feel (again) discomfort when swallowing but after two weeks of the treatment finishing, all felt fine. Obviously my treatment was for the tumour and yours is for the lymph node so your treatment is likely to be different, but I just wanted to reach out and say that my experience was a reasonable one, and I hope that yours will be too. Take lots of care of yourself and sending you a big hug x

Thank you latchbrook .

Thank you for the information Julieanne60 .

Good to hear your treatment and recovery has gone well.

Like yourself I had weekly cisplatin and 30 radiotherapy sessions last year for anal/rectal SCC. My cancer was locally advanced, but the treatment worked. Unfortunately my last PET scan picked up some activity in distant lymph nodes. After chemo and surgery I now have one active retrocrural node that needs treatment.

I met with the Doctor today and it's the bowel area that will be most effected, so maybe sickness and diarrhea. So my understanding of anatomy was way off, when I was thinking oesophagus. I had so few side effects last year and recovered quickly, so fingers crossed for the same.

Very much appreciate your comments and support.

Ally xx