PET scan results

Lylesmyprince

We got Lyle's results today from the PET scan. They found one lymph node but right next to the esophagus. Soooo....it turns out to be T3N1M0...same as you, William. We will meet with the oncologist next week...get the port...meet with the surgeon to be sure Lyle is a candidate for surgery before the doctors finalize the plan for treatment. He is scheduled to begin radiation on March 10th...not sure about chemo yet...that will be Tuesday. Not sure how to feel...and I know Lyle is a little quiet tonight. Now...I need help finding a way to interpret the report for the PET scan...can you point me in the right direction?

Susie

unclaw2002

Suzie,
Same as my dad too.
Suzie,

Same as my dad too. Did you ask or did they tell you how far the tumor had invaded the esophagus? It could be at the top level (best), or several other variants to having breached the outside wall of the esophagus (the worst) and what my dad had. I have been told and read that 3 chemo agents is best - two are less effective but some patients can only tolerate two agents and it doesn't help the patient if the chemo kills you instead of the cancer. Ask lots of questions and check out the side effects for the different combinations of chemo drugs and see which ones would be best for Lyle.

Good luck and keep the faith and have some fun this weekend:)

Best,
Cindy

Lylesmyprince

unclaw2002 said:

Suzie,
Same as my dad too.
Suzie,

Same as my dad too. Did you ask or did they tell you how far the tumor had invaded the esophagus? It could be at the top level (best), or several other variants to having breached the outside wall of the esophagus (the worst) and what my dad had. I have been told and read that 3 chemo agents is best - two are less effective but some patients can only tolerate two agents and it doesn't help the patient if the chemo kills you instead of the cancer. Ask lots of questions and check out the side effects for the different combinations of chemo drugs and see which ones would be best for Lyle.

Good luck and keep the faith and have some fun this weekend:)

Best,
Cindy

Thanks, Cindy. His tumor has
Thanks, Cindy. His tumor has gone into or through the deepest layer of the muscle. Being a dialysis patient...the doctors are rethinking which chemo drugs will be best for him. We will know more on Tuesday. Praying for your dad, too!!

Susie

unclaw2002

Lylesmyprince said:

Thanks, Cindy. His tumor has
Thanks, Cindy. His tumor has gone into or through the deepest layer of the muscle. Being a dialysis patient...the doctors are rethinking which chemo drugs will be best for him. We will know more on Tuesday. Praying for your dad, too!!

Susie

Susie,
My dad is diabetic so
Susie,

My dad is diabetic so the doctors had alot of concern for his kidneys and not causing kidney failure and he has hearing aides. I know it is a little different than dialysis. For your information the two chemo agents they have him on are carboplatin and taxol. The doctors at Sloan felt this combination was best for him. They are doing 2 courses of treatment once a week (3 weeks, then one week of rest, then next three weeks). He just had started his second course. They give him anti-nausea and other pre-drugs as well as steriods (which make his blood sugar spike)and check his hydration.

Of course everyone is different but my dad's side effects have been some mild nausea the first week. The drugs they are giving him before the chemo seem to be helping to control the nausea and other side effects. He is tolerating the chemo fairly well except that he is really tired (taking 2 naps a day) and having a hard time eating 100 grams of protein a day so he has lost a couple of pounds. He got a marine hair cut so his hair wouldn't fall out.

The doctors at Sloan gave my dad a copy of the book 100 Questions and Answers about Esophageal Cancer - if you haven't read this yet I highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/Questions-Answers-About-Esophageal-Cancer/dp/0763745707

it is a great resource and talks about the various chemo options and treatments.

Best,
Cindy

Donna70

unclaw2002 said:

Susie,
My dad is diabetic so
Susie,

My dad is diabetic so the doctors had alot of concern for his kidneys and not causing kidney failure and he has hearing aides. I know it is a little different than dialysis. For your information the two chemo agents they have him on are carboplatin and taxol. The doctors at Sloan felt this combination was best for him. They are doing 2 courses of treatment once a week (3 weeks, then one week of rest, then next three weeks). He just had started his second course. They give him anti-nausea and other pre-drugs as well as steriods (which make his blood sugar spike)and check his hydration.

Of course everyone is different but my dad's side effects have been some mild nausea the first week. The drugs they are giving him before the chemo seem to be helping to control the nausea and other side effects. He is tolerating the chemo fairly well except that he is really tired (taking 2 naps a day) and having a hard time eating 100 grams of protein a day so he has lost a couple of pounds. He got a marine hair cut so his hair wouldn't fall out.

The doctors at Sloan gave my dad a copy of the book 100 Questions and Answers about Esophageal Cancer - if you haven't read this yet I highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/Questions-Answers-About-Esophageal-Cancer/dp/0763745707

it is a great resource and talks about the various chemo options and treatments.

Best,
Cindy

Pet scan
Hi Susie,
Did your husband get the EUS yet? that is more accurate for staging than the PET scan because they are right in there. At least it was in my case, nothing showed on the PET but I was the same stage as your husband after my EUS and the biopsies. It is a big blow just to get used to the EC diagnosis so it makes a person get quiet and think all kind of thoughts but keep rallying around your hubby and there are many on here who were the same stage and we have been operated on and are intending to see many more years. The drs should be able to explain the scan to you. One thing I would tell you is if your husband can try to bulk up before the treatment, I did not actively try to gain extra weight and lost way too much once the chemo and radiation hit me but your hubby is on dialysis so that makes a big difference I am sure. Prayers are coming your way, please take care,
Donna70

Lylesmyprince

Donna70 said:

Pet scan
Hi Susie,
Did your husband get the EUS yet? that is more accurate for staging than the PET scan because they are right in there. At least it was in my case, nothing showed on the PET but I was the same stage as your husband after my EUS and the biopsies. It is a big blow just to get used to the EC diagnosis so it makes a person get quiet and think all kind of thoughts but keep rallying around your hubby and there are many on here who were the same stage and we have been operated on and are intending to see many more years. The drs should be able to explain the scan to you. One thing I would tell you is if your husband can try to bulk up before the treatment, I did not actively try to gain extra weight and lost way too much once the chemo and radiation hit me but your hubby is on dialysis so that makes a big difference I am sure. Prayers are coming your way, please take care,
Donna70

Hi Donna! Yes...Lyle got the
Hi Donna! Yes...Lyle got the EUS and it showed a T3N0M0. The node was found in the PET scan. Your words have encouraged me. I'm sorry that you have to deal with this cancer, Donna, but am grateful for your insight. Bulking up is difficult when it is sooooo challenging to get the food down. He just isn't one to drink his nutrition...but I know he will need to try. I dread watching him suffer through the treatment. I know that we have both been numb, sad, mad, but we do keep talking...and I appreciate it when he shares with me his feelings. I know that is tough for him. And...he really is my prince...he is always so concerned about me and how I am or how I will handle things. He is a sweetie!! I'm so glad to hear you are doing well!!