Re: Cancer of the Esophegus

Posted By HFHS-M.D.-rf on January 24, 1998 at 20:52:21:

In Reply to: Cancer of the Esophegus posted by Damien Seddon on January 23, 1998 at 20:17:06:







: Please can anyone help with any information on this type of cancer.
Eg websites,books etc.
Also please feel free to post any responses...good or bad..JUST THE TRUTH
My grandfather has today(23rd jan 98) been diagnosed as suffering from esophegus cancer, the surgeon who was his only hope has refused to carry out surgery due to my grandfather's heart disease(50% in right ventricle). My Grandfather has no apparent secondary cancers and we have been informed that cheomotherapy and radium treatment is out of the question due to the severe side effects on this type of cancer(is this true?). The only option which has been offered to him is a steel pipe inserted into his tube to make swallowing foods easier,(should make him have 3 months of qualitity time)

If you can help than please do, as I feel so useless at this moment in time.






Dear Damien,
I sense the anguish and frustration in your words.  It is difficult to know that a loved one has a serious and possibly fatal illness.
Cancer of the esophagus is a very serious illness.  Most people who have this condition do not live 5 years.  In general terms, the only hope for cure is with surgery, although there have been rare reports of good responses to chemo- and radiation therapy.
Although surgery provides the best opportunity for successful treatment of this illness, the operation is quite extensive and requires that the patient not have serious concurrent illnesses of the lung and/or heart.  Additionally, for technical reasons not all patients can be offered surgery.  The surgical response appears best if the cancer is in the lower third of the esophagus.  Cancers in the upper third can not be resected.  
I am uncertain why chemo- and radiation therapy have been excluded as treatment options.  You do not provide details regarding your grandfathers age and concurrent illnesses.  It is conceivable that these factors have influenced your physicians decisions.  Your family may consider asking the treating physicians about laser or photodynamic therapy.  These techniques, used in our institution, can shrink the tumor, although this response  is probably not curative.
Placement of a wall stent (pipe in the esophagus) is an important palliative procedure that will allow your grandfather to continue oral feedings.  One of the consequences of esophageal cancer is blockage of the esophagus (food pipe) so that the patient can not maintain nutrition.  The quality of life is certainly improved by this approach.
I hope that this information will be of help to you.  My best wishes to you during these difficult times.  
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution, please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians Office and make an appointment to be seen with Dr. William Webb of the Division of Gastroenterology, one of our experts in the treatments of esophageal cancer.
HFHSM.D.-rf
keyword: esophageal cancer, cancer
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