How far along is this cancer?

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gmaria
gmaria Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hello,
I received news today regarding my brother-in-law and am looking for help. A few weeks ago he was having trouble swallowing- feeling as if the food would not go down. He is 46 yrs. old. He had a light procedure on Thursday and CT scan. The doctors were amazed at how this tumor was rather large near his breast bone. The doctor told them right a way that it is cancer. He will get the results of the CT scan Monday. We are not familiar with this at all. Have any of you had this type of problem? Is it possible this is only beginning stages?

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  • Callaloo
    Callaloo Member Posts: 135
    #2
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    You've come to the right place
    gmaria, unfortunately, everyone here or their loved one has had this type of problem. The extent of the problem can't be known until all the test results are in. Typically, the CT scan results on Monday will give you a pretty good idea. It's good that the doctors are moving forward quickly with the diagnostics.

    If cancer is confirmed, your BIL will need more testing to determine the full extent of the cancer. There are lots of people here who will be able to help you and him work through this when more is known. I'm so sorry you have to find yourself here. But I will hope for the best, as you should too.
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #3
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    Callaloo said:

    You've come to the right place
    gmaria, unfortunately, everyone here or their loved one has had this type of problem. The extent of the problem can't be known until all the test results are in. Typically, the CT scan results on Monday will give you a pretty good idea. It's good that the doctors are moving forward quickly with the diagnostics.

    If cancer is confirmed, your BIL will need more testing to determine the full extent of the cancer. There are lots of people here who will be able to help you and him work through this when more is known. I'm so sorry you have to find yourself here. But I will hope for the best, as you should too.

    Scared of the unknown
    Thanks for your reply. It's my sister's husband so, I'm only getting the information she gives me. I feel like I'm in a dream. I've been reading about this almost all day and have just come to this website. I'm so grateful to find this.
    Thank you again.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #5
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    Hello, Welcome to our web
    Hello, Welcome to our web site. I had had a couple of real bad heartburns that made the dr. suspect my heart, but after testing we found out my heart was ok. A few months later I had a couple of instances where my food hung. That's when the endescopy was done and I was diagnosed with Ec. After CT scan and Pet scan It was determined to be T3N1mo. After a few rounds of chemo, I had surgery. All started in nov.07 and today my test show I'm still cancer free. William gives wonderful advice on what needs to be done.

    I know what shock,you're all in. The word cancer is hard to digest, but there are some great treatments and wonderful drs. It's up to you to get the right treatment.

    You're starting on a journey that will effect the whole family. Stay strong and trust in God to lead you,
    Sandra
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #7
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    Callaloo said:

    You've come to the right place
    gmaria, unfortunately, everyone here or their loved one has had this type of problem. The extent of the problem can't be known until all the test results are in. Typically, the CT scan results on Monday will give you a pretty good idea. It's good that the doctors are moving forward quickly with the diagnostics.

    If cancer is confirmed, your BIL will need more testing to determine the full extent of the cancer. There are lots of people here who will be able to help you and him work through this when more is known. I'm so sorry you have to find yourself here. But I will hope for the best, as you should too.

    They will also need to know
    which type of ec he has...that will determine the treatment regmine...and endoscope with biopsying of the tumor will tell them that..then make sure he gets to a major teaching hospital that sees this type of cancer...don't stay local, the drs don't see enough of this kind of cancer...and you want the best care for him...the care is not always equal because the knowledge and treatments available aren't always equal..Convinence is not a word to be used for this cancer...expertise is the word you want on your side.

    jan
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #8
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Brother- in- law
    Hello,
    Thanks for the prayers and responses.
    The Oncologist wants to re-take 2 of the tests that had already been taken because they were not clear enough to see if his cancer spread to other areas. He has is appt. to do this on Tuesday. This Oncologist also set up his appt. with MD Anderson in Houston the beginning of February. Thank God we are making progress and things are starting to move along. The Oncologist did mention there were 2 types of the cancer he has and the type he has WILL respond to chemotherapy. Please pray the cancer has not spread anywhere else.

    I want to tell my sister about this sight, but I don't know if I should do this right now.
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #9
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    Callaloo said:

    You've come to the right place
    gmaria, unfortunately, everyone here or their loved one has had this type of problem. The extent of the problem can't be known until all the test results are in. Typically, the CT scan results on Monday will give you a pretty good idea. It's good that the doctors are moving forward quickly with the diagnostics.

    If cancer is confirmed, your BIL will need more testing to determine the full extent of the cancer. There are lots of people here who will be able to help you and him work through this when more is known. I'm so sorry you have to find yourself here. But I will hope for the best, as you should too.

    BIL
    Thank you.
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #10
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    sandy1943 said:

    Hello, Welcome to our web
    Hello, Welcome to our web site. I had had a couple of real bad heartburns that made the dr. suspect my heart, but after testing we found out my heart was ok. A few months later I had a couple of instances where my food hung. That's when the endescopy was done and I was diagnosed with Ec. After CT scan and Pet scan It was determined to be T3N1mo. After a few rounds of chemo, I had surgery. All started in nov.07 and today my test show I'm still cancer free. William gives wonderful advice on what needs to be done.

    I know what shock,you're all in. The word cancer is hard to digest, but there are some great treatments and wonderful drs. It's up to you to get the right treatment.

    You're starting on a journey that will effect the whole family. Stay strong and trust in God to lead you,
    Sandra

    Thank you.

    Thank you.
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #11
    Options
    sandy1943 said:

    Hello, Welcome to our web
    Hello, Welcome to our web site. I had had a couple of real bad heartburns that made the dr. suspect my heart, but after testing we found out my heart was ok. A few months later I had a couple of instances where my food hung. That's when the endescopy was done and I was diagnosed with Ec. After CT scan and Pet scan It was determined to be T3N1mo. After a few rounds of chemo, I had surgery. All started in nov.07 and today my test show I'm still cancer free. William gives wonderful advice on what needs to be done.

    I know what shock,you're all in. The word cancer is hard to digest, but there are some great treatments and wonderful drs. It's up to you to get the right treatment.

    You're starting on a journey that will effect the whole family. Stay strong and trust in God to lead you,
    Sandra

    Thank you.

    Thank you.
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #12
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you.

    Thank you.
  • cclambert
    cclambert Member Posts: 30
    #13
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    How far along is this cancer?
    I see your brother-in-law is going to MD Anderson. I also went to MD Anderson, the doctors are wonderful there. I had my surgery in December, 2009, with follow up chemo due to 1 postive lymph node. I had a CT scan in Houston this week and am cancer free. Praise God for this. I had no symptoms, it was found with a routine endoscopy because I had a history of Barrets, and luckily it was found in an early stage.
    You have come to the right place for advice. William is very knowledgable about this cancer and the various treatments. He always gives everyone the best advice and is more than glad to help. I think he has helped all of us on this board. We are very glad to have him here to encourage us. Keep us posted on what is happening with your brother-in-Law
    Cathy
  • gmaria
    gmaria Member Posts: 10
    #14
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Brother in law
    Hello again,
    This waiting is really making us nervous. His appointment with MD Anderson was suppose to be for Tomorrow and now they have put it off for another week. He had more test last week that the Oncologist ordered and he received the same results. One tumor on esophagus and cancer cells on his lymph nodes and liver. My sister told me the Oncologist feels the tumor will be able to be removed after chemo & radiation (by the way he is having a minor surgery tomorrow for a port to administer the medication), but the surgeon does not feel it can be removed. We are all so scared. I mentioned the situation to a neighbor today and she told me of her husband's nephew (45 yrs old) about 3 years ago was diagnosed with the same symptoms and the treatments didn't respond to his tumor. With all the waiting on appts and doctors, this cancer may be spreading even more. Isn't time important?
    Thanks for your help.

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