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Ladylacy
Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
in Esophageal Cancer #1
My husband was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in July 2010. He underwent 35 radiation and 2 chemo treatments. Then in February 2011 he experienced breathing problems and the cancer was back. He had a larynectomy and the back of his throat had to be reconstructed due to radiation in March 2011. Everything was going good until he decided to have a procedure done for the TEP to help him speak.

When the surgeon was doing the procedure, he scoped him first and found a small tumor right where he would have done the procedure. He biopsied it right away and it has been diagnosed as T2 SCC cervical esophagus. PET/CT scan found no spread of the cancer. They say this is a 2nd primary and on May 4th he will see the radiologist and medical oncologist about starting treatment.

We have been told that surgery would not be without complicatons and that radiation and chemo would be the way to go since the tumor is small and hasn't spread.

What types of chemo are used for this type of cancer. He had cisplatin the first time and had kidney issues but part of that was his fault for not drinking enough fluids. He also had a feeding tube from August 2010 until May 2011. Will he need another one. Naturally we are scared. I have been reading a lot about esophageal cancer, he hasn't. I lost an Aunt to this cancer last October after a 3 1/2 battle.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sharon

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  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
    "Typical Chemotherapy regimens for EC
    Sharon,

    There are certainly a number of chemo regimens used to treat esophageal cancer. My particular regimen included Cisplatin, Epirubicin, and 5 FU. When I was given Cisplatin they did not just depend on me to drink enough water to protect my kidneys, they gave me IV hydration, prior to, and after, each infusion of Cisplatin. I typically got my cisplatin infusions on Monday and I would come back into the infusion center on Wednesday or Thursday for IV hydration as well.

    I have also heard of the drugs Oxaliplatin and Taxotere being used as a part of a EC regimen along with Xeloda (a tablet form of 5 FU)

    The variations are as many as there are patients with different disease progression and medical backgrounds. Here is an excellent resource to describe various chemotherapy drugs.

    Chemocare.com

    I did not have a feeding tube during my chemotherapy, but having one certainly takes a lot of pressure off the patient to eat enough calories and get enough hydration. The tube is there to provide that support when the side effects of chemotherapy make it difficult to swallow and drink.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

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