Can chemo actually shrink a tumour.?

Thank you. I start 8 weeks of chemo this thursday . I have cancer of the gullet. I am a bit down to be honest. Looking like a major op in feb after giving the chemo a few weeks to clear. Its described as a curative op. Which is good. But I'm struggling to come to terms with 8 weeks of chemo. 1 session every 2 weeks . Trying to hang in there 

Hi there,

Can totally understand you feeling down.. going through diagnosis, all the tests and then getting ready for chemo - it's a very tough time.

Everyone takes to chemo differently, some have very little side effects but even if you do there is plenty of help here, nurses will monitor you and the doc can always tweak things to help.  Take some comfort in the fact that there is a care plan in place for you, and it is curative - lots on here have been through the op and can help tell you what to expect.  My advice to you would be to take it one step at a time, it can all be quite overwhelming I know.  Do you have some support around you?   The Macmillan nurses are great - there is a helpline and if you have a centre at your hospital you can just pop in for a chat - they can help with all aspects of what you're going through. 

My husband has just finished his 3rd cycle and the 4th is this week, it can be both emotionally and physically draining but we take it one step at a time.  I wish you lots of luck with your treatment - there's lots of support here on the forum as well so just reach out if you have any questions or just want to talk or vent.  

Thank you. Chemo starts tomorrow. Over 8 weeks. 4 visits to hospital. Trying to stay strong.  Regards Chris 

Hi ukjazzer,

As SCANDSA says, everybody reacts differently. In my case I was diagnosed T3N2M0 esophageal cancer. I had 4 doses of FLOT pre-surgery. My tumour was 6cm in size and bulging out of my oesophagus and resting on my diaphram. I had 6 cancerous lymph nodes.

Surgery removed 1/3 of my stomach, a few inches of my oesophagus, and 36 lymph nodes. 

All that they found of my tumour was a scar and all my lymph nodes were biopsied and proved negative for cancer. This was a great disappointment for the small army of people who I had signed up for clinical trials with who wanted a bit of my tumour. 

So for me chemo (FLOT) not only shrank my tumour but cured me of cancer!

HI Chris,

I sent you a pm

Nett

Where is the pm you sent me ?

Where is the pm  ?

Hi Chris,  have you received any pm yet?

no

Hi,

I think there may be a glitch with PM's as I was expecting one yesterday as well.

I have mentioned it to admin and asked if this can be checked out, but we won't probably get an answer until the Tech Team have had a look Monday :-/

This problem may be rectified using the new Notifications Widget - Further Info here.

Thanks for raising the issue, G n' J