Dads oesophagus cancer stage 4 after op

Hi 

My husband had his surgery 19 months ago and he finished his chemotherapy 16 months ago .He hasn’t heard the words ‘All clear ‘ yet either .He was just told all was looking good and he would be monitored for the next five years …Three monthly monitoring for the first year , six monthly  for the next two years and annually for another two years up to five years in total . No scans would be offered unless new symptoms occurred .

He has had a CT scan since because he reported a new symptom , although the scan revealed another issue it wasn’t a recurrence.and this was when he was told all was looking good . He’s also had an endoscopy within the 19 months for another new symptom he reported which wasn’t a recurrence either . 

He was told by his surgeon prior to chemo and surgery that in the first two years there was a 50% risk of a recurrence, At three years his surgeon said she would start  to ‘breathe  easier’  ( her words !  )  and  only at five years post surgery would my husband be regarded as cured . 

I don’t know if this is the case  in other hospitals ?

regards  J 

Hi J 

Thank you so much for reaching out as we all have questions but can’t really speak to dad about it as he just shuts it down and my mum can never ask the questions she wants to the consultant incase it upsets dad! 

so I really appreciate you coming back to me … what are theses monthly yearly check ups? What are they doing just asking questions? or are they doing checks? Xxx 

I was meant to add I am so happy to hear nothing has come back i do hope he’s all ok!! It’s very scary not hearing thoses works but I guess no symptoms is a possitive sign xxxx

Hi 

The first year he had four face to face clinic appointments with his surgeon and dietitian Weight monitoring etc .

Second /third year , if there are no issues a telephone appointment can be offered if preferred but my husband prefers a face to face with his surgeon at the hospital clinic  .He had one in June ( surgeon catch up , weight monitoring and dietitian) and the next one is due in December .He will  have two more next year at six monthly intervals .

Fourth /fifth year .Once a year appointments of the same .

We can also phone my husband’s specialist nurse anytime if any issues occur or just for advice , so there’s always back up  in between monitoring appointments .and this should be the same for your Dad too .You could always phone your Dad’s specialist nurse and ask for a schedule of his follow up monitoring appointments.They are always at hand to help with anything . 

regards J 

Hi Nic 123

It is the same at QA in Portsmouth, Apt. With the consultant every 6mths for 5yrs, only have an endoscopy or scan if new symptoms occur.

I am on a trial called sarong (think I have the name right) the trial is to establish whether regular scans are beneficial vs new symptom screening. 

Sounds like your dad is doing great and he has no reoccurrence.

Best wishes Jennie

Hi 

My mom is diagnosed with oesophagus cancer like three days back her age is 60 she has gradually lost so much of weight 

We are hopefully moving to the next stage of the treatment like CT scan and PET scan.

Most of the people around me are making me panic about this. 

Please help me in getting a clear plot for her treatment. 

Thanks in advance 

Hi Priya

I am 65, I had chemo, Op and then more Chemo, this first part of the Journey that your Mum is on is hard, feelings of being scared, the unknown and waiting. 
My journey started this time last year. 
An endoscopy, then a scan, then a Pet scan, about a week apart for each one, then a meeting with the consultant of the upper GI team, diagnosis given, see the specialist nurse, see the dietitian. 
my endoscopy was the 9/9/2023, 1st treatment started 23/10/2023.

weight is a big thing as you can imagine, is your mums weight because see is struggling to eat? Weight gain, high protein shakes, high protein yogurts, Jacket potatoes 

Hope this helps, sorry you’ve found yourself on here Priya, there is a huge amount of information and support on here. Have you tried starting your on post? 

I wish your Mum well, stay strong Jennie

Your mother obviously has your love to support her on this awful journey. I hope that you have someone to look after you too as cancer diagnosis affects the whole family emotionally.
Over the next few weeks more information, specific to your Mum, will emerge from the medics treating and a plan will be put in place.  This will give you a better vision of what lies ahead and some sense of control inasmuch as the family will know what practical help Mum needs (importantly she already has your love). 
With cancer there are so many variables when it comes to diagnosis and prognosis my advice is to use this forum for general advice or information until you know more about your Mum’s case. Many of the experiences that you read on here, both positive and negative, will not be relevant to your Mum. This may result in false optimism or unnecessarily add to your anxiety.

 When you know more about your Mum’s diagnosis and treatment plan this forum may be useful for specific questions about that and also a source of emotional support for you. 
Love to you and yours. Take care of yourself. 

Thanks jen 

This is a quote hopeful information for me 

And gives me positivity, since I'm scared I was blank about this.

Now I have some overview thanks again jen