Esophageal Cancer

Question: What are the stages of advanced esophageal cancer? My grandpa has just been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer...I was wondering,what are the stages and explain what happens to the body and can they be cured or helped? Btw,Idk what stage he has. The doctor does not know yet he only explained it was advanced.

Answer: My father was diagnosed at the beginning of January (this year, 2009) with Esophageal Cancer. He is stage 4-the last stage. They discovered his cancer when he could no longer swallow, and he had lost over 20 pounds. His cancer had already spread to the shoulders, hips, and liver when it was discoverd. He had been on reflux medicine for over 20 years, was not a drinker, and smoked for a couple years as a teenager. As of yesterday he has been given 3 weeks to live because the cancer is spreading so rapidly and has multiplied all over his liver, causing the liver not to function. He is still in the hospital as they are trying to get his heartrate back to normal (for an unknown reason it is really high, his heart is otherwise very strong). The oncologist said he will start sleeping more and more as the liver shuts down, and thats how he will go. Its a very aggressive cancer and unfortunately if its already in an advanced stage, prepare yourself for the worst. I never imagined that my dad would have such a short fight. He started his chemo 2/2/09 and now has 3 weeks left to live. I think it depends in your case if the cancer has already spread to other organs, if it hasn't then you have a much better chance at fighting it. I wish your family the best, I know too well what someone with esophageal cancer has to go through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Question: Why does a person with esophageal cancer have a feeding tube inserted into the duodenum instead of the stomach? A patient has esophageal cancer and must have a feeding tube inserted. The nurse tells the patient that the tube will be inserted surgically into the duodenum. The wife asks why the tube will not be inserted into the stomach. What should the nurse say?

Answer: Jared, There are two main types of esophageal cancer. The most common type of oesophageal cancer, known as adenocarcinoma, develops in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the oesophagus, near the opening of the stomach. It occurs in just over 50 percent of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma grows in the cells that form the top layer of the lining of the oesophagus, known as squamous cells. This type of cancer can grow anywhere along the esophagus. Oesophageal cancer is cancer that develops in the oesophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. The oesophagus, located just behind the trachea, is about 10 to 13 inches in length and allows food to enter the stomach for digestion. The wall of the oesophagus is made up of several layers and cancers generally start from the inner layer and grow out. A flexible, narrow tube is inserted into some portion of the digestive tract and liquid formulas or liquefied foods are placed into the tube to meet the patient's nutritional needs. The feeding may be pumped into the tube or allowed to drip into the tube continuously or at scheduled feeding times. Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tubes (JEJ or PEJ tubes) are tubes that are put into a part of the small intestine called the jejunum. The jejunum is situated a little way after the stomach. The surgeon puts a tube through an opening in the abdomen and into the jejunum. PEJ tubes are put in using an endoscopy, like a PEG tube – (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). This type of tube is particularly used for people who have stomach or oesophageal surgery. If the tube goes directly into the small intestine, feeds are usually given slowly all the time. There is usually a pump that controls the speed of the feed passing into the tube, rather than a drip-feed. If the feeding tube is inserted into the stomach, there has to be a period of “rest� to allow the stomach respite from working. Also, it depends on the location of the cancer in the oesophagus, which may influence the location of the jejunostomy tube. ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED. It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms. The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Hope this helps matador 89

Question: Is there a national walk for esophageal cancer? my stepfather died from esophageal cancer, and i am interested in doing a walk and raising money/awareness for the ACS and EC in particular. does anyone know of a walk that is done for esophageal cancer? i have looked online and haven't found one that is national. only local ones. i am in the philadelphia area, if that helps. i know i could just donate money, but i think doing a walk says a little more.

Answer: There is no walk programmes arranged for Esophangeal cancer. It is mostly included in the Breast cancer awareness progammes as it is connection to that area. You can donate whatever you want to the organisations like Susan Komen or Avon Breast cancer awareness walk and let them utilise it. I hope you agree with me, as any cancer is cancer and it kills the patients. -

Question: How painful is esophageal cancer? I was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) recently. Right now, I am having a discomfort in my throat. It's not painful, but I feel as if something is wrong. I don't have any difficulty swallowing and not experiencing weight loss, though. In fact, I am gaining weight. I am also a hypochondriac and I am really worried if this is esophageal cancer, as I have read somewhere that people with GERD have a major risk of esophageal cancer. I'm 17, by the way. Help?

Answer: Yes -its true that GERD puts people at risk of this type of cancer, but it takes decades to develop. There's about a one-in-million chance of someone 17 years old getting esophageal cancer. You don't have any symptoms of cancer except where they overlap with GERD.

Question: Are there any good websites to find recipes for cooking for people with Esophageal Cancer? I need to find recipes for bland (non-acidic) soups and purees. Things that are not spicy and that are easy to swallow.

Answer: You know what? The best way to make people with esophageal cancer feel better and at the same time have enough energy to have their therapy done properly is to put them under enteral nutrition until they finished their treatment and have recovered their initial weight (before being sick)! You can find that on TONS of medical publications! I'm sure that you really wanted to help but WHEN YOU'RE FIGHTING THIS TYPE OF CANCER AND FACING A STRONG CHEMOTHERAPY, YOU MUST EAT ALMOST TWICE THE AMOUNT OF PROTEIN AND ENERGY THAT YOU SHOULD BE EATING NORMALLY! example: for a man of 70kg (154 lb witch is quite light for a man) you must give to him 700g (1.54 lb) of beef meat or 16 eggs or 22 yogurts per day every day!!!! Forget about your soup unless it's only for pleasure (but it'll full the stomach and make him feel like "I don't want to eat nothing more!") You have some ABBOTT or NESTLE or NUTRICIA clinical nutrition kind of yogurt or purees that are hyperproteinated (they taste great) and if you are SURE that he will take the right amount of proteins: use it (pharmacy only) but believe me it's almost impossible to make it in a normal way!

Question: What types of treatment are there for esophageal cancer? I mean other than Chemo and radiation.

Answer: Hi Nishi There are several ways to heal the body, its a matter of actually believing you can and doing it. DOesnt really matter what type of cancer it is. The body is toxic and you need to get the toxins out. The best herbal plan I know is called the Incurables program (herdoc.com). My uncle used this plan to heal his Lympoma within 60 days. Easy part is knowing what to do and actually doing it is a challenge. Educating yourself on detoxifying the body you will overcome any obstacle. Best of health to you

Question: What are the chances of a 13 year old to get esophageal cancer? HECK, you think I'm smoking at this age? Wow, you've got to be kidding me! Just asking, I'm worried like hell.

Answer: Unless there were some other risk factors at play it would be unusual. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophageal_cancer#Causes_and_risk_factors

Question: Esophageal Cancer- How long till the effects of radiation take affect? Hi, My relative Bob, has radiation scheduled for an inoperable tumor located in his esophagas and upper stomach/surrounding lymph nodes. I am wondering if anyone knows how long it takes for the good and or bad affects of radiation to be noticable? Anyone know anything about the side affects? Thanks in advance for any answers:)

Answer: research pau d arco tea www.pau-d-arco.com also essiac tea They also have pills. red clover is also good

Question: esophageal cancer? Should a 25 year old be worried at this age? esophageal cancer? Clean Barium x-ray 6 months ago still gerd problems, refulx Should I really worry about esophageal cancer, or would this take many more years to develope. Are the chances low that I dont have this?

Answer: If you're being treated for GERD and it's still not resolving, then you should go back to your physician. Though it's not likely esophageal cancer, you should get a scope, just to make sure it's GERD, and not a hiatal hernia, and ulcer, etc

Question: How does esophageal cancer affect your digestive system?

Answer: It will eventually cause you to have a difficulty in swallowing, often painful. So therefore, it makes it hard for you to eat anything. In relation, patients lose weight and become weak, and their immune system diminishes. Most have to remain on a pureed or even liquid diet for nourishment. Last resort would be a G-tube, which is a tube inserted into the stomach for liquid feedings.

Question: A person have a esophageal cancer, why would the doctor insert a tube in the doudenum instead of the stomach? is that because the stomach can reverse the food to the esphagos, and create a problem in breathing?

Answer: They place the tube in the duodenum for several reasons. First, if the tube is past the stomach and in the duodenum, the feedings cannot be refluxed backwards into the esophagus which causes problems with aspiration pneumonia and reflux esophagitis to an already damaged esophagus Gastric feedings are harder to tolerate for the pt than j tube or other type feedings. Secondly, if the tube is in the duodenum, it takes the stomach out of the digestion process and prevents nausea for a cancer pt who has already been unbelievably sick to their stomach. Thirdly, the tube is in the duodenum to increase the likelihood the nutrients will be processed thru the small intestine and not thrown up before it gets there. Radiation and chemotherapy make people increadibly sick sometimes, so the likelihood of tolerating g tube feedings are less if you take them into the stomach vs the duodenum. I personally prefer jejunostomy feedings which are even lower in the intestinal track. Prayers for you and your sick relative. RN in Oncology for many years.

Question: what are FDA approved therapy for Esophageal cancer that has migrated to the liver?

Answer: Hey, Well the FDA certainly haven't approved of this method but i can assure you it works. You need to eat foods high in NITRILOMINES A.K.A Vitamin B17. Here is a list of cancer fighting foods. Range* 1000 mg (milligrams ) = 1 gram High — above 500 mg nitriloside per 100 grams of food. Medium — above 100 mg nitriloside per 100 grams of food. Low — below 100 mg nitriloside per 100 grams of food. alfalfa (leaves) 1 high apple seeds 1 high apricot seed 1 high bamboo 1 high bitter almond 1 high blackberry, wild 1 high cassava 1 high cherry seed 1 high choke cherry 1 high eucalyptus 1 high fava 1 high nectarine seed 1 high peach seed 1 high pear seeds 1 high plum seed 1 high prune seed 1 high Swedish (lignon) cranberry 1 high wild crabapple 1 high elderberry 2 med. to high macadamia 2 med. to high mung 2 med. to high alfalfa (sprouts) 3 med. boysenberry 3 med. buckwheat 3 med. currant 3 med. fava 3 med. flax 3 med. garbanzo 3 med. gooseberry 3 med. huckleberry 3 med. lentils 3 med. lima, Burma 3 med. loganberry 3 med. millet 3 med. mulberry 3 med. mung 3 med. quince 3 med. raspberry 3 med. squash seeds 3 med. garbanzo 4 low to med. kidney 4 low to med. beet tops 5 low black 5 low blackberry, domestic 5 low black-eyed peas 5 low cashew 5 low green pea 5 low lima, U.S. 5 low market cranberry 5 low shell 5 low spinach 5 low sweetpotato 5 low water cress 5 low yams Cancer is the same principal as Scurvy, Its a deficiency of a vitamin. and in Cancer's case its a deficiency of VITAMIN B17. Eat more of this and you'll be feeling well again soon. Almost ALL fruit seeds like apple seeds etc are full of this stuff BUT EAT THE FUIT AS WELL AS THE SEEDS otherwise this can cause complications. Hope this helps. Let me know how you get on.

Question: I just found out that I may have esophageal cancer and if I do only have no more than 5 years to live, ? how would you react and what would you do? I am devastated right now.

Answer: please email me! hotalyssa1278@yahoo.com

Question: My wife is getting chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer can she pass that to me?

Answer: If you're asking whether or not she can pass the cancer on to you, no. Cancer is not contagious. If you're asking whether or not she can pass residual chemo and radiation on to you, yes. The amount of radiation that she could pass to you is negligible. It's not something you need to worry about. The chemo is a different story. Some chemotherapy agents are known carcinogens, so unless you need them you don't want to be exposed to them. Chemo is secreted in sweat, urine, vaginal secretions, semen, saliva, etc. Your wife should be double flushing the toilet for 3-7 days after each chemo treatment, depending on what drugs she's getting. You should not share the same silverware or glasses (Meaning don't eat off the same fork or drink after her. Everything needs to be washed before you use it.) If you're having sex, you should be using barrier protection (condoms) during intercourse. The condom thing is also important because she definitely shouldn't get pregnant while she's on treatment. That drugs can be very dangerous for a developing fetus. Hope that helps... but I'm wondering why her nurses haven't already explained all of this to you.

Question: about how long would a 73 year old women have if diognosed with esophageal cancer and couldnt have any treatme? i dont have any details,please answer as quick as u can

Answer: Esophageal cancers tend to have a poor prognosis. However, her age has little to do with it. It is the disease and prognosis is determined by grade and stage. It would be VERY unusual for someone with this disease to not be treated. These patients can get to the point where they cannot even swallow liquid. You are going to need details to get answers.

Question: Is it possible i have Esophageal cancer? I'm 15 and for the past few weeks ive had abdominal pains and difficulty in swallowing and now i have a sore throat and im soo worried because its likely i wont survive Oh and like a thick orange saliva in my mouth

Answer: I agree with the other posters, it sounds like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Cancer of the esophagus takes MANY years to develop. In fact, in most cases there is a pre-cancerous condition (Barrett's Esophagus) that initially develops. It is a change in the lining of the esophagus. The body has some interesting ways that it tries to protect itself from acid damage. One way is by forming "rings" of scar-tissue that act like a dam to prevent the acid from constantly flowing up towards your mouth. If left untreated, these strictures may become pronounced and begin to make it difficult to swallow. This too is treatable with diet, exercise, medication, and a good GI doctor. Acid reflux is interesting because it can cause problems other than "heartburn". It can cause bad breath, a sore throat, asthma/coughing...just to name a few. You could try the over-the-counter acid reducers or even some type of antacid, but if it doesn't respond well to those things or is frequently occurring, you should definitely see a specialist.