Oesophageal cancer - surgery or not?

Hi, I am sure you will have as many replies that say yes go for surgery as you will have that say don't go for surgery.   Its a  lot to take in and even harder to make a decision.   All I would say is to tell you my husband's story so far.  He had barrett's for 10 years with monitoring every 3/4 years.  The only symptoms being reflux which he took some medication for.  Then after a routine endoscopy in October 2021 they found cancerous cells.  After other tests he was diagnosed with T2N0M0.  So had 4 rounds of flot.  Followed by an oesophagotomy Ivor Lewis in may of this year.  They then said he was cancer free.  But not sure that is ever true.   He has had huge on going problems since with eating and drinking.   This is due to stricture in his gullet as the gullet became closed.  He has had 6 dialations and now has a stent fitted.   They have said he will have the stent removed after 6 weeks.   So for most of this time he has at best been on a liquid diet.  Has just moved to a soft diet.  He still has a feed overnight through j peg.  We are both very depressed about how this has changed our lives.  He was a fit and active 70 year old.  I think whichever route you take it will have a massive impact on your life.   I just feel that we both didn't really understand the seriousness of the situation.   Although the doctors clearly told us the facts etc.  I don't really feel that they told us about the impact of either the treatment or the cancer.   Even when he can hopefully eat something like a normal meal again,  which we are hoping will be xmas dinner,  it still will not be what is normal for him.   Such a big decision to make so I wish you good luck.  Whatever you decide will be the right one for you.   Take care 

Hi I just wanted to add that I don't think that the operation is the best option for everyone.   It is very gruelling and brutal.   Plus recovery isn't as easy as the doctors make it seem.   

HI, I agree with you they don't tell you the after effects or how life will have changed maybe forever, my partner is only 46 he had the op in May and Im finding it really tough, he can eat most things now however we cant go for meals or drinks atm because he has dumping syndrome a hell of a lot and can be so ill with vomiting after he eats tho he still tries.

I hope things get easier for youx

Hi. I've had 4 round of FLOT chemo and have decided to have surgery. I asked about chemoradiotherapy but was told there's a downside to that too. Radiation can cause much pain in oesophagus and some people find it too painful to swallow and need a feeding tube. Scar tissue can build up inside gullet with radiation causing swallowing probs too. These symptoms can take a long time to go away. One guy in this club had chemoradiation and is worried that the cancer hasn't gone away. They encouraged me to have surgery as I was young and fit enough. Tumour had shrunk and this was best chance of complete cure. A very difficult choice. Has anyone here had chemoradiotherapy and suffered bad reactions? Julia

Yours is an interesting post as I am in a very similar situation - at least I hope I will be when treatment actually gets started! I'm 75, and really don't want to go through the trauma of an operation.  I find it really heartening that your chemoradiotherapy was so effective, even if there has been a recurrence.  I was warned that even following an operation, cancer could still come back.  If I end up in your situation, I know which I shall choose, but wish you well with whatever you decide to do.

Surgery is life changing and was clearly explained to me at Wrexham Mailor prior to my minimal key hole surgery. It takes time to heal and develop a new way of being. Throughout my treatments pre and post surgery the support has been fantastic. But you must take time and listen to the clinicians.

I agree that I need to take time, but I feel very pressured by both medics and family. At my age, taking a year, or maybe more, to recover from a major op, makes me feel I'd rather make the most of now. Good to hear you've had such good support though.