Diagnosis of STAGE 0-1A Had the EMR with great success!

runnergal

Just wanted to share my story of Esophageal Cancer. I'm an extremely very healthy 56 year old female and was lucky enough to have a endoscopy due to very mild heartburn. They discovered a 1cm or smaller nodule that had irregular and cancer cells (February 11, 2009). I went through a lot of horrific and wonderful second opinions. I met with doctors wanting to cut out my entire esophagus to the Endoscopic Mucusol Resection recommendation. I was very lucky to have one of the best doctors in the San Francisco who specialized in this procedure. It's been almost one year and a half and just had another cancer free check up July 1st. I have a hard time accepting good news which may sound weird. The procedure I had is very common in Japan where they perform early screenings. It's just mind blowing the different opinions you get. I was very scared and felt very alone. I had to become an expert on my disease over night and read like crazy...just like all of you. I have no one to talk about this with. I welcome any feedback or if you want info.

paul61

How fortunate you had an early diagnosis
It is wonderful that you had an early diagnosis and the stamina to get multiple opinions. Many people do what the first doctor they see recommends because they are so overcome with the shock of the diagnosis that they don't have the strength to continue seeking other opinions.

I think you are the first person I have seen on our board that was fortunate enough to get a Stage 1 A diagnosis and have Endoscopic Mucosul Resection. Was that done with a laser attached to the end of the endoscope? What kind of after effects did you have from the proceedure?

It is wonderful that you are NED!!!

Best Regards,

Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina

DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0
12/03/2010 Ivor Lewis
2/8 – 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
6/21/2010 CT Scan NED

ddub

You're not the only Type 1 EMR Success!
Runnergal,

Thank you so much for your posting. I am a very healthy 49 year old male, and was also fortunate to receive an early diagnosis in January 2010 with Type 1A adenocarcinoma. I consulted with a gastroenterologist, thoracic surgeon, and an oncologist, and my oncologist then spoke with a specialist at MD Anderson who treats many early cases. All recommended the EMR procedure. I underwent the EMR procedure in early February. The procedure was a breeze, and there were good clear margins surrounding the removed tumor. I've since had a CT scan, PET scan, and 2 endoscopies - all came back great.
Three weeks ago I underwent a laproscopic nissen fundoplication. I'm off all meds, have absolutely no heartburn, and best of all, have hopefully eliminated the source of future Barrett's. Also, the thoracic surgeon performed an endoscopy as part of the fundoplication procedure, and found little to no scarring from the EMR.
So, other than close surveillance requiring ongoing endoscopies and CT scans, I have hopefully put this behind me (and my family).
Thanks again for your post. There is so little information out there for people like us that are fortunate enough to receive an early diagnosis. Let's make a deal and keep each other in our prayers, and do what we can to raise awareness of the importance of early screenings for this horrible disease.

Tina Blondek

ddub said:

You're not the only Type 1 EMR Success!
Runnergal,

Thank you so much for your posting. I am a very healthy 49 year old male, and was also fortunate to receive an early diagnosis in January 2010 with Type 1A adenocarcinoma. I consulted with a gastroenterologist, thoracic surgeon, and an oncologist, and my oncologist then spoke with a specialist at MD Anderson who treats many early cases. All recommended the EMR procedure. I underwent the EMR procedure in early February. The procedure was a breeze, and there were good clear margins surrounding the removed tumor. I've since had a CT scan, PET scan, and 2 endoscopies - all came back great.
Three weeks ago I underwent a laproscopic nissen fundoplication. I'm off all meds, have absolutely no heartburn, and best of all, have hopefully eliminated the source of future Barrett's. Also, the thoracic surgeon performed an endoscopy as part of the fundoplication procedure, and found little to no scarring from the EMR.
So, other than close surveillance requiring ongoing endoscopies and CT scans, I have hopefully put this behind me (and my family).
Thanks again for your post. There is so little information out there for people like us that are fortunate enough to receive an early diagnosis. Let's make a deal and keep each other in our prayers, and do what we can to raise awareness of the importance of early screenings for this horrible disease.

Hello ddub and
Hello ddub and runnergal
Thank you so much for posting your wonderful news! It is very uplifting to know that if you catch this in the earlier stages, you can totally beat it! We must encourage all with acid reflux and or heartburn to get a scope done. My dad was unfortunately staged at IV after many many years of chronic acid reflux. In November 2008, he told the dr. he wanted to get a scope done. My dad put up a good 16 month battle, but lost it in March 2009. Congratulations to both of you! We have early screenings for colon cancer....we need to do the same with ec!
Tina

rmkbrad

EMR
runnergal, who was the doctor that perfored your procedure. I also was dignosed with stage 1 esopageal cancer but found out that I had stave 4 neck cancer in my left tonsil. So while doing radiation and chemo for that they did my esophagus also. I have had a biopsy done on my esophagus and it came back benine, but I would be interested in talking to a doctor about the procedure.

Brad