Comment from: lin, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: March 19
My husband aged 54 was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December and passed away in March. When diagnosed he had a pain in his left side when he was lying down at night and nothing else. Then lymph nodes in his neck became enlarged. An endoscopy and scan showed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes in his neck and in his chest. Chemo started immediately, a 21 day cycle, from 8.30 to 4.30 on day one and then a course of tablets, 12 in all, to take for the 21 days. After 3 courses a scan showed that although the chemo was shrinking the tumor the cancer itself was causing blood clots and one had gone to his lung. He then started injecting himself in the stomach every evening, which was a 6 month course, then just before his 4th cycle of chemo he developed another blood clot in his liver. The doctors just couldn't get on top of the clots and eventually one went to his heart and killed him suddenly. We were not aware that blood clots can be caused by cancer or chemo.
Comment from: Sue B, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: May 20
My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on Sept. 1, 2005. He'd been having increasing trouble swallowing and has started losing weight. He went to see the doctor who sent him to a specialist to do a scope. As soon as he had the diagnosis, he was referred to a surgeon. The surgery was Sept. 29, 2005, and they removed the tumor and part of the esophagus. That December, he started chemo and radiation treatments. He had radiation for four weeks straight and four week-long rounds of chemo (first week of radiation, last week of radiation, one month later and one month after that). His pic line was removed on the final day of chemo (April 14, 2006). He goes for CT scans every six months now (in the first year it was every three months), and sees all three of his fabulous doctors to discuss the results. Three years later, he is still cancer-free, and we are more hopeful each time that the next time will also be clear. Not to scare anyone, but based on our research of this disease and our discussions with the doctors, we believe that with surgery alone, he wouldn't have survived the first year. He just turned 50 in January (2009), and we're now making long-term plans again. He's frequently tired, can't eat much at one time, and often suffers acid reflux at night. This is our "new normal," and we are happy to live with it because we still have each other and our family and are otherwise healthy. One strange side effect of all his treatments is that his immune system seems to be stronger than before. He used to catch every cold and flu bug the kids brought home; now he's seldom sick, and it's less severe when he is sick. These are small blessings for sure but blessings just the same.
Comment from: abcd123, 55-64 Female (Caregiver)Published: April 03
My dad had been complaining of chest pain for quite some time. He soon began to complain about pain in his leg. He finally went to the doctor in June, and we found out that he has esophageal cancer. The cancer had already spread to his leg. My dad continued to fight. He went to all his doctor appointments, and things seemed to be going OK. Then in September, they told him there was nothing left they could do. He died a week later. My dad was only 56. He left behind his wife of 20 years and four children. I hate cancer.
Comment from: Lisa, 65-74 Male (Caregiver)Published: February 20
My dad had heartburn all of his adult life. One day, he didn't have it all of a sudden, but later he had a pinching in his right side near his liver. He went to a doctor who had him tested, and he had a tumor at the base of his esophagus. He was referred to an oncologist who, after further testing, determined it had spread to his liver, spine and brain. Dad was treated with radiation and chemo, but sadly passed away six months after the diagnosis. My advice to everyone: Get an upper and lower GI test performed. My dad never did, and it probably would have saved his life.
Comment from: Jeff , 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: December 17
My Mom died 2 weeks ago from esophageal cancer; she had been diagnosed 1yr ago. She was 75yrs old. When she had trouble breathing the doctor said she had pneumonia in the left lung. She then went back to the Cancer Hospital for a barium x-ray, what nobody saw was the tumor had tripled in size in only 4 months, and it opened up her left lung. When the barium test was done, she drowned in the barium, 48 hours later she had passed away. Please if anybody has this double and triple check that all doctors are on the same page. This procedure I feel rather shortened her life by 3-6 months. They (the doctors) won't talk about what happened they just want back the x-rays I have in possession.
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Suggested Reading on Esophageal Cancer by Our Doctors
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition in which the acidified liquid
contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn,
regurgitation, and nausea. Effective treatment is available for most patients with GERD.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
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Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube), and is classically associated with heartburn.
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Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing, the feeling of food sticking in the throat, and a burning feeling in the chest. Causes of heartburn include dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and medical causes. Treatments for heartburn include lifestyle changes, OTC medication, prescription medication, and surgery.
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Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, hoarseness, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and more. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
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What is percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)?
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a surgical
procedure for placing a tube for feeding without having to perform an open
operation on the abdomen
(laparotomy). It is used
in patients who will be unable to take in food by mouth for a prolonged period
of time. A gastrostomy, or surgical opening into the stomach, is made through the skin using an a flexible, lighted instrument
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tube and secure it in place.
What is the purpose of percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy?
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patient or their medical condition, the purpose of percutaneous endoscopic
gastronomy is to provide fluids and nutrition directly into the stomach.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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My husband aged 54 was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December and passed away in March. When diagnosed he had a pain in his left side when he was lying down at night and nothing else. Then lymph nodes in his neck became enlarged. An endoscopy and scan showed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes in his neck and in his chest. Chemo started immediately, a 21 day cycle, from 8.30 to 4.30 on day one and then a course of tablets, 12 in all, to take for the 21 days. After 3 courses a scan showed that although the chemo was shrinking the tumor the cancer itself was causing blood clots and one had gone to his lung. He then started injecting himself in the stomach every evening, which was a 6 month course, then just before his 4th cycle of chemo he developed another blood clot in his liver. The doctors just couldn't get on top of the clots and eventually one went to his heart and killed him suddenly. We were not aware that blood clots can be caused by cancer or chemo.
Related Reading: esophageal cancer | endoscopy | cancer