Esophageal Cancer Surgery

Question: esophageal cancer surgery? I live in Florida, and here esophageal cancer surgery is done so that the cancerous part of the esophagus is removed and then the stomach is moved up and joined to the rest of the esophagus, then some organs surrounding the stomach would be removed. However I have also heard that there is a second way, a surgery only practiced in Wisconsin in which the esophagus is replaced with a tube, a prosthesis replacing the removed part of the esophagus. I want to know where I can look online or if there is any phone number I can call to get information on what hospital is the second procedure practiced, in Wisconsin. Thank you.

Answer: Search Yahoo Yellow Pages for any phone #.

Question: My brother is having surgery tomorrow for esophageal cancer as well as a large hernia. How bad is this? Is it going to be much worse for him, with two surgeries at the same time? What are his chances, and how long is the recovery? We just don't know what to expect, and we are very worried.

Answer: That isn't an easy question to answer because surgery can completely remove a tumour in some cases, but in others it might be done only to provide relief (palliative). The fact that he is having the hernia done as well is a positive sign. The surgeon and oncologist should really have discussed with you what to expect. I suggest you ask these questions directly: 1) what pain relief (hopefully a PCA pump), what drains, catheters etc? 2) how long before he can eat by mouth? 3) how long they expect him to be in hospital? 4) what is the long-term prognosis? 5) has he been properly assessed (CT scan) to make sure the cancer has not spread?

Question: Esophageal cancer and why no surgery in May and now possible surgery? My Dad was diagnosed in May of this year he was at a stage IV. Surgery was not an option (so they said) He is now done with chemo and radiation and still cannot eat. He is tired, in pain and has lost so much weight that he is starving himself. (the doctors say) They are putting a feeding tube in next Thursday. Now they want to go in a see if it has spread and perform surgery if it has not. Statistics show that 19000 plus have been diagnosed this year and only 1900 have survived. He cannot eat which makes me think the chemo and radiation did not do anything. Why now say surgery, when before they said no. I think it is too late. Why are they wanting surgery now? I honestly think it had to spread. Any insight would be helpful, my mom and I cannot get him to eat or get out of bed. I want the truth and your thoughts please.

Answer: hi, i am in my final year in medical school specializing in oncology, in ireland, stage IV means it has spread and in most cases, unfortunately, stage IV is terminal. i would imagine that surgery was not an option in order to cure your father, but now as he cannot eat possibly due to a tumour pressing against the windpipe which is a common problem, the doctors may turn to surgery to remove the invading tumour if it has not grown into any vital parts of his esophagus. is his inability to eat due to no appetite? or can he physically not demonstrate the swallowing reflex? so to sum up, if the cancer has not completely invaded his throat then surgery may be an option to allow him to eat without intravenous assistance. most treatment for stage IV metastasis is only to make the patient more comfortable as the chances of full recovery are very low. do forgive me for being blunt but you did ask for the truth and i wont sugar coat anything. lastly, i am very sorry about your father being diagnosed with such an awful disease and i do wish you and your family the very best of luck in your fight against it. please feel free to email me should you have any further queries! added note**** the above 4th year pharmacy student is incorrect in saying that the tumour has shrunk to allow surgery as an option. once surgery is not an option it stays that way because stage 4 cancer means it has already spread to other parts of the body

Question: Esophageal cancer has spread-anyone know someone who went through this? My BIL age 50 had esophageal cancer that was treated by surgery and chemo/radiation. All looked good but a recent scan showed he had some spots on hip bone and they found some cancer cells floating in his spinal fluid. His symptoms were headaches and seizures. They thought it was an infection of the spinal fluid, but when doing tap found abnormal cells. He is in hospital now undergoing more tests, everything inconclusive at this point. Have you ever known anyone whose cancer went into spinal fluid? Do you know treatment or life expectancy? Doctors were sure all cancer was removed during surgery, this is an unexpected happening. Thanks!!!!!!!!

Answer: I think the disease is spread to other parts or neighbouring parts of the body. And here it has affected the Spinal area. Doctors remove the cancers or tumors but inspite of all treatment viz. surgery, chemo and radiation, it speads and the postion of the patient becomes critical. As it is Esophangeal cancer is in a very difficult postion. Esophageal cancer which is a serious form of cancer that starts in the inner layer of your esophagus, the 10-inch long tube that connects your throat and stomach. The most common symptom of esophageal cancer, usually occurring late in the disease, is difficulty swallowing and a sensation of food getting stuck in your throat or chest. Although the esophagus is essentially a hollow tube, its walls are composed of a number of highly specialized layers, including an inner lining made up of thin, flat cells (squamous cells), a layer below the inner lining (submucosa) that contains mucus-secreting glands, and a thick band of muscle tissue. When you eat or drink, a muscle in the upper part of your esophagus (upper esophageal sphincter) relaxes, allowing food and liquid to enter. Smooth muscles in the esophagus wall then move the food along in a series of rhythmic contractions — a process called peristalsis. Another ring of muscle, the lower esophageal sphincter, sits at the junction where your esophagus and stomach connect. It opens to allow food into your stomach and then clamps shut so that corrosive stomach acids and digestive enzymes don't back up into the esophagus. Cancer can occur almost anywhere along the length of the esophagus and is classified according to the types of cells in which it originates. I have come accross a couple of cases of this stort without any satisfactory outcome. We have not other alternative but to give all possible treatments and leave it to doctors and let us hope everything becomes alright. Wish your BIL and early recovery.-

Question: My BIL has carcinomatous meningitis from metastasized cancer? My BIL had esophageal cancer that was succesfully (?) treated with chemo/radiation/surgery. Now they found cancer in spinal fluid a few months after surgery. Doctors said it is carcinomatous meningitis. They plan to put a shunt in his head to give him chemo. I googled, and doesn't look hopeful. Has anyone undergone this treatment, or know anyone who has? Life expectancy? Thanks in advance, we are trying to remain hopeful.

Answer: I'm so sorry to hear about your BIL. My sister received the same diagnosis just yesterday. I think it's important that you and your family get answers straight from your BIL's doctor(s), because what I might tell you could very well be different from what your BIL's condition is. I would never want to give anyone false hope, or make them think the situation is any more grim than it is. In my sister's case, the prognosis is not good, but I don't know that to be true for everyone who gets this.

Question: My dad has esophageal Cancer and the Dr.'s just told him there's not much they can do for him. Help!! Herbs? My dad has esophageal cancer and has completed all of his chemo and radiation. My mom had to send his end resault scans to his Dr. in Baltimore to see if he was able to have surgery to remove the tumor. The phone call came and the news was not good. They could not do any type of surgery because it had spred. We want to do plan 2...Does anyone know anything about herbal remedies to help? I have been told about Essiac Tea. I would like to hear some feedback on herbs. Please help me...I don't want to lose my dad!! There has to be something out there!!

Answer: Hi Stacy THere are several ideas on how to cure a disease that work, but most of them dont make any money. That is why you dont hear about them in America. Im been through this scenio with people all the time. You're actually speaking for your dad (which is excellent), but is your dad ready to jump (my way of saying, is your mind open and ready to follow a plan)? My teacher is at herbdoc.com and he has healed thousands with his methods for over 30 years. A plan called the Incurables program. My uncle followed this plan and healed his Lymphoma within 60 days. Not an easy plan to do (better than chemo and drugs), but again it all depends on the individual and how committed he is. Check out the site and Ill be happy to assist if he is serious enough about it. Mz B (above me) is right about the love and forgiveness factors. If your father embraces that feeling then the healing will start right away. Also energy healing is VERY effective (pranic and reiki) is altering the diseased soul. Best of health to both of you

Question: Has anyone out there survived esophageal cancer? My dad has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has only just started to infect his lymph nodes. He will be having surgery in the next 3 weeks to remove the tumor & lymph nodes & they will bring his stomach up to meet where they cut. The doctor said depending on how the surgery goes as to whether or not they will do chemotherapy and/or radiation. they said he has a 30-40% chance of surviving the next 3 years. Is there anyone out there that has beat this disease. I think I just need to hear of some positive cases where they've come out on top at the other end of it all

Answer: I know someone that has had the same surgery, though i'm not sure what stage his cancer was in at the time. He's doing alright, but it did take him a while to get over the surgery and to recover. I hope you feel positive about this whole thing, to the best of your ability, and I think that many people beat Cancer, so why not your dad?

Question: what is the best solution to treat esophageal cancer ? My father was diagnosed with stage 3-4 Esophageal Cancer August 2007. He was treated by chemotherapy. The tumour [tumor] became small in the first chemotherapy, but it didn’t change in the second chemotherapy. Now the doctors suggest my father to do a surgery, but there is a problem that my father is weak, only 80 lb. My question is what is the best solution to treat esophageal cancer like my father’s?

Answer: I would consult an ENT or head and neck surgeon who can discuss the pros and cons of the operation as well as risk factors for someone in your father's health. Good luck to you.

Question: Dealing with my fathers diagnosis of esophageal cancer? Wanting answers on prognosis, and other feelings.? Just a few weeks my father was confirmed of having esophageal cancer. (lower portion) It has spread to his surrounding lympth nodes and the belly button lymth node and his doctor said that was not treatable. He is a stage 4 tier unknown because they have not confirmed two spots on his liver..more tests next week. I am emotionally not a stable person, I have GAD and PTSD. I feel sometimes I am still in denial of all this. I assume this is normal? However, I had a hard time picking out a fathers day card and cried when I read every one. I am close to my parents we talk daily and live 5 minutes away from one another, although Friday night I could only stay for about 30 minutes it was too hard and yesterday could not even go over there, instead I was selfish and hung out with two new friends and had a few drinks. ( Don't really have friends, due to mental issues until recently) I should have been over there! My dad has a hard time eating and is suppose to have surgery next week to out in a tube in his chest for his treatment. The doctor referred to making my father comfortable and it is not treatable, although they are going to use a "strong treatment" on him. Anyone gone though anything similiar, I would appreciate your honest feedback. (Coping, Supporting, Time Frame) anything, because the not knowing is hurting me, let alone not knowing how much time I have left with him. Bubbles: I am sorry to hear about your father and wish you two the best of luck as well. It is hard and I feel your pain so much! I read that my father has 6 months two... not sure if that began when they diagnosed it or when the cancer began? Midnight: Very nice answer. I am on the list to speak to his doctor and have been to each appointment and have taken notes. I just did not want to ask those questions in front of my father. I definitly will take your advice and call. Thank you!

Answer: First, taking a break for me time is NOT selfish. Me time is important during times like this. In fact, you should try to make sure you have atleast 30 mins to an hour of me time at least a day, in my opinion. But, my best advice is for you to join a support group. His doctors will be able to give you references to several local groups. Most people going through this stuff needs some sort of outside help to deal. The support group will give you a safe outlet to vent your feelings. As far as answers on prognosis, your father (or you if your father allows you to talk to the doctor) need to ask some pointed questions and get some actual explanations. You guys should write out all of your questions, schedule a consultation apt with the docs before treatment starts, and have the docs explain the answers until you can walk away and explain it to someone else. If you want bring a voice recorder, but I recommend at the very least writing down the answers.

Question: I've been dealing with esophageal cancer since Jan 08? I had a botched surgery in which they never took the scar tissue left from the tumor (had chemo and radiation treatment) because they thought it had spread to the lung and was inoperable(turns out it was scar tissue from the radiation).....this messed me up bad emotionally as I went for a week thinking I was terminal. In Dec. 08 they told me I would have to have the operation redone and thus spent 49 days in hospital over Christmas.I had complications due to the length of the surgery , spent 3 days on life support and almost died on Dec 26. I guess the good news is , is that they got me extremely early and the surgeon said these tumors rarely appear my question is what if shes wrong , every little twinge I have I think it's cancer , I have panic attacks on an almost daily basis and niightmares on a daily basis my psychiatrist tells me I'm one step above post traumatic stress disorder any thoughts or suggestion on dealing with this emotional turmoil

Answer: I'm glad to hear that everything worked out for you. Treating cancer early gives the patient the best possible outcome and seeing a psychiatrist is also a good idea too. An important part of the doctor/patient relationship is that the patient trusts their doctor completely. It sounds like you lost faith in your surgeon after the first surgery. My advice would be is to gather all of your health information and x rays and seek out a second surgical opinion. Your stress level may go down having two surgeons telling you that everything is all right. Make a call to your psychiatrist as well. It sounds like you need some medication dosage changes to help control the panic attacks and nightmares. Good luck.

Question: Is my husbands cancer back? Now Leukemia? In Nov. 2007, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had chemo, radiation and a major surgery. Now 18 months out of his surgery, I wonder if it is back. He has had a CT and CBC done every 3 months since his surgery. Each time, all good results. This week, he went for another CT and CBC. His blood work came back with rbc being low and MONO% being high. Is it leukemia?

Answer: As you well know there is no cure for cancer . . but there is treatment for cancer that can lead to an individual 'cure' or 'remission'. It is impossible for anyone here to do anything other than speculate about what is happening with your husband. It is best just to wait and see what the test results will be and what your doctor thinks is happening. Best of luck and hope that it is not a relapse.

Question: Is husbands cancer back? Please help? In Nov. 2007, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had chemo, radiation and a major surgery. Now 18 months out of his surgery, I wonder if it is back. He has had a CT and CBC done every 3 months since his surgery. Each time, all good results. This week, he went for another CT and CBC. His blood work came back with rbc being low and MONO% being high. Is it leukemia?

Answer: You can pray about this and ask a Christian church to pray for him too. God can help you live a better life if you want Him to help you. You can have a personal relationship with God by saying the prayer below. God is our Creator, all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal, holy, love. God loves us and sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, so we can go to heaven if we know and follow Him. Forever means without end -- time on and on without death. Forever is what happens after we die. Either we go to heaven and be with God forever, or we go to hell which is very bad and painful forever. The good people who are saved believers in Jesus Christ go to heaven. The bad people go to hell. We need to know and follow God in this world to get to heaven in the next world. We follow God by loving and obeying Him and loving others for Him. Jesus Christ, God's Son, is our bridge to God. Jesus died on the cross to cancel our sins. We need to accept Jesus into our life as our Lord and Savior forever to receive God's blessing and forgiveness plus go to heaven to be with God forever after we die. This is about being a born-again Christian. Faith in God is a gift from God. You can pray for faith in God. Just speak out and ask God for the faith to believe in Him and to follow Him. Some people find faith in God when they realize the beauty in the world is made by God. Evolution can't explain the world's natural beauty, for example, the parks in the world, animals, flowers, peacocks, sunsets, butterflies, rainbows, etc. After you have your faith on, you can pray a sinner's prayer to be a born-again Christian. This prayer is very important and should be said with a sincere heart and faith in God. This is the prayer: "Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and that Jesus Christ is the sacrifice for our sins. I have done the following sins (state these out) and I pray to discontinue these sins. I pray to receive Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior forever. In Jesus' name, amen." I'm Lutheran and I like the Baptist churches. You could find a good Christian church and try a weekly Bible study group with them to learn more. You can pray to God about your daily life. God bless.

Question: How can I fix steak in a blender? My dad has esophageal cancer and the tumor is so large he has to be on a liquid diet. We are looking into laser surgery, but until then, I'm looking for tasty ideas. His biggest wish is for a steak. I want to grill him one and put it in a blender. Does anyone have a suggestion for doing this so it will taste good? He is so sick of soups and shakes. He is losing a lot of weight and I want to fix this for him. I could also use other ideas if anyone has them. Thanks.

Answer: If he can have soups, I would try adding some garlic, salt & pepper while you puree it along w/beef stock. Just blending the steak will make it too thick and gooey. Sorry to hear about his condition.

Question: Pet Scan Report is not Telling us what we need to know? We went to the drs yesterday to have a consultation on my husbands diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer. It was a different dr. who knew nothing about the case. He said the PET Scan said he had cancer, but he didn't know what kind it was or what stage it was in,and he did not have the images from the PET Scan, but he reccomended surgery. Wouldn't you want to know more and shouldn't he know more?

Answer: I hope the article will be helpful. You guys have to educate yourselves -- quickly -- in order to arm yourselves so your husband receives proper treatment. A google search will easily find an online esophageal cancer forum which be of great help to you. Good luck to you and all the best to you both.

Question: How do I get over worrying about my mom? Im 15, and I have had a lot of things go wrong with my life. When I was around 11 my dad got a flesh eating infection in his leg, and ran a 105 temp - he almost died. Then my mom had a heart attack about a year and a half later - shes fine. Last year my dad developed esophageal cancer, and had surgery. it went great, but then he got the flu. it turned out the cancer spread to his brain, and he passed away march 3/13/08. My grandma lives with us and she has dimentia. Now I always have this fear that when Im not with my mom something wrong will happen - either she is in a car accident, had another heart attack, or just soemthing bad. Im really afraid to lose her, and Im constantly texting her or calling her. Am i crazy? What should i do?

Answer: Sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad last July and I can sympathize. You are not crazy that you are really afraid to lose her. Seek out someone to talk to such as a Coach, Priest, Someone you look up to....you know what I mean. A guidance counselor at school may know of professional that you might talk to so that you can manage the fear and your life. Hang in there kiddo.

Question: I worry constantly about my mom? Please help!? Im 15, and I have had a lot of things go wrong with my life. When I was around 11 my dad got a flesh eating infection in his leg, and ran a 105 temp - he almost died. Then my mom had a heart attack about a year and a half later - shes fine. Last year my dad developed esophageal cancer, and had surgery. it went great, but then he got the flu. it turned out the cancer spread to his brain, and he passed away march 3/13/08. My grandma lives with us and she has dimentia. Now I always have this fear that when Im not with my mom something wrong will happen - either she is in a car accident, had another heart attack, or just soemthing bad. Im really afraid to lose her, and Im constantly texting her or calling her. Am i crazy? What should i do?

Answer: Honey, it's normal to worry when so many things have gone wrong. You should talk to your mom and tell her how scared you are feeling and that you'd like to set up ways for you two to communicate regularly during the day so you won't have to worry. It's an awesome burden to have at your young age, but you can handle this, and you aren't crazy. I'd like to also suggest that you talk to your school counselor and tell them that you are having some issues at home and would like to talk to them about the best way to handle this. Asking for someone else's help will help relieve some of the burden and fear you are feeling. You might even be able to get someone else to volunteer to help with your mom. Ask your counselor, and if you go to church ask your minister/priest. Talk to neighbors and tell them your concerns, they might be willing to keep an eye out for your mom and grandmother. You've already experienced some hard things happening in your life. Sometimes life gives us some difficulties to get through and they can be very painful. There are some things we can fix, some things we can make better, and some things that we just can't change no matter how hard we try. So, no you're not crazy, but you've gotten a bit overwhelmed and are frightened about what might happen. It's okay. It would help to talk to somebody about your fears and feelings. I like to take on the 'plan for anything' mentality and set it up to be prepared for the most difficult thing to occur and what I would do if that did happen. Then the rest is easier.