Am I too old for surgery?

ham6789
ham6789 Member Posts: 29
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I am just about to start Rad/Chemo (chemo includeS Xeloda). I am 78 years old in fair shape now .....What about after rad/chemo? I don't know if I am a candidate for MIE? What is the oldest MIE patient? Is there anyone here?

Comments

  • BMGky
    BMGky Member Posts: 621
    #2
    A lot of people are in their 70's
    Sorry you've had to find this board. It means you are dealing with esophageal cancer. My husband was 70 when he was diagnosed. He had the Ivor Lewis form of surgery following the chemo/radiation. It is a difficult surgery form; however, the key is getting rid of the esophagus. It will help those (who know more than I do) to know your stage of EC and what plan of treatment you have been given, where you are, are you going to a major cancer center, etc. I have found much support and information from the members here. You should be hearing from others if not tonight, tomorrow.

    As to my husband, they debated surgery due to his history of bypass, weight and age. However, his staging suggested that if he could have surgery, he could have a chance to have no evidence of disease. It is a year past his surgery and his latest scope showed healthy pink tissue. The chemo/radiation is not easy nor is the surgery. But if you can be a candidate, it can help. If you need a jtube, go for it. My husband needed it and really helped.

    Good luck and keep us posted.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    BMGky said:

    A lot of people are in their 70's
    Sorry you've had to find this board. It means you are dealing with esophageal cancer. My husband was 70 when he was diagnosed. He had the Ivor Lewis form of surgery following the chemo/radiation. It is a difficult surgery form; however, the key is getting rid of the esophagus. It will help those (who know more than I do) to know your stage of EC and what plan of treatment you have been given, where you are, are you going to a major cancer center, etc. I have found much support and information from the members here. You should be hearing from others if not tonight, tomorrow.

    As to my husband, they debated surgery due to his history of bypass, weight and age. However, his staging suggested that if he could have surgery, he could have a chance to have no evidence of disease. It is a year past his surgery and his latest scope showed healthy pink tissue. The chemo/radiation is not easy nor is the surgery. But if you can be a candidate, it can help. If you need a jtube, go for it. My husband needed it and really helped.

    Good luck and keep us posted.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • flmo
    flmo Member Posts: 65
    #4
    too old for surgery?
    My husband is the one who William Marshall mentioned who had MIE surgery at age 76 with Dr. Luketich at the University of Pittsburgh on Feb. 23, 2011. He had stage 1 cancer with no chemo or radiation. His age didn't seem to matter, but he was in good shape physically. He is still recovering,but is doing quite well. I hope you are a candidate for MIE. It makes a big difference in recovery time.

    Best wishes.
  • ham6789
    ham6789 Member Posts: 29
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Am I too old for surgery?
    I am waitng to take PET monday Monday. This is to verify stage T3NiMx. I live in Las Vegas,I am traveling to San Diego UCSD La Jolla, I am hoping to get my Rad and Chemos in Las Vegas. Iam scheduled to stat Rad/Chem on 5/4. at comp. Cancer Center of Nevada.

    Oncologist at Las Vegas is planning Xeloda and cisplatin and maybe others. However, he is purdicting that I will have a fifty/fifty chance that I will not need surgery after RadChemo. I am well aware of the need for surgery after drugs even with a clear report.. I have Medicare as primary and Aetna secondary insurances.
    I should probably send my records to Dr. Luketich or some other compendent MIE surgeon close by?
    OF COUSE THIS IS PREDICTIATED ON THE GOOD RESULTS OF MY P.E.T.!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    ham6789 said:

    Am I too old for surgery?
    I am waitng to take PET monday Monday. This is to verify stage T3NiMx. I live in Las Vegas,I am traveling to San Diego UCSD La Jolla, I am hoping to get my Rad and Chemos in Las Vegas. Iam scheduled to stat Rad/Chem on 5/4. at comp. Cancer Center of Nevada.

    Oncologist at Las Vegas is planning Xeloda and cisplatin and maybe others. However, he is purdicting that I will have a fifty/fifty chance that I will not need surgery after RadChemo. I am well aware of the need for surgery after drugs even with a clear report.. I have Medicare as primary and Aetna secondary insurances.
    I should probably send my records to Dr. Luketich or some other compendent MIE surgeon close by?
    OF COUSE THIS IS PREDICTIATED ON THE GOOD RESULTS OF MY P.E.T.!

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    ham6789 said:

    Am I too old for surgery?
    I am waitng to take PET monday Monday. This is to verify stage T3NiMx. I live in Las Vegas,I am traveling to San Diego UCSD La Jolla, I am hoping to get my Rad and Chemos in Las Vegas. Iam scheduled to stat Rad/Chem on 5/4. at comp. Cancer Center of Nevada.

    Oncologist at Las Vegas is planning Xeloda and cisplatin and maybe others. However, he is purdicting that I will have a fifty/fifty chance that I will not need surgery after RadChemo. I am well aware of the need for surgery after drugs even with a clear report.. I have Medicare as primary and Aetna secondary insurances.
    I should probably send my records to Dr. Luketich or some other compendent MIE surgeon close by?
    OF COUSE THIS IS PREDICTIATED ON THE GOOD RESULTS OF MY P.E.T.!

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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