Chemo after Esophogectomy

Hockey Wife
Hockey Wife Member Posts: 15
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hello, this is my first post, but I have followed all of you for sometime. My husband (46 yrs) was dx last May with aden 2b. Esophogectomy went great, path showed that RT & Chemo pushed tumor back to a T2, but 1/37 nodes came back positive. We opted to do do 6 months post chemo to give us the best shot at a cure, or at least lots of years! Chemo is killing him (7 out of 12 treatments done) wondering if we should just stop. I told him it cant be my decision and I will support him on whatever he want. Both very confused and would love input! Thank you! Janet Hockey Wife & Mother

Comments

  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #2
    Welcome, I had positive node

    Welcome, I had positive node after my surgery and started the chemo back. Two weeks after treatment started I developed a blood clot  in the jugular vein, so the dr. removed the port and said I couldn't have any more chemo because it was destroying my body. I walked out of his office, feeling like it was a death sentence.  When I had my next test I was cancer free. I just had my Five year anniversary and I'm considered cured (yaaaa)I started the journey stage T3N2Mo, at the age of 64. I had chemo but no radiation.

    Everyone does differently. I respect  the way you are handling it and letting him make decisions.I always asked my husband and family to allow me to do that also.

    Praying for him,

    Sandra

  • GerryS
    GerryS Member Posts: 227 Member
    #3
    Stopped chemo....

    I also had one node infected following surgery.   So chemo was suggested for three months.  After two months , I was not handling it well, complications with de-hydration,  low blood counts,  extreme fatigue , kidney,etc.   So oncologist stopped the chemo,  thought the risk of going on was not worth it.   I have my yearly scan this month,  hopefully I remain NED.   That would be three years and counting.   Good luck and God Bless....

     

    Gerry

    DX 2/10

    IL 3/10 

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #4
    I had post operative chemo for a positive node

    My post operative pathology showed one positive node of the twenty two removed and my surgeon recommended adjuvant chemotherapy. My oncologist recommended six rounds of cisplatin and epirubicin, with 24/7 5 FU via personal infusion pump. I completed the six rounds (18 weeks) with a one week break from the 5 FU due to severe mouth sores. So far my scans have been NED.

    I know it is difficult to keep going when you are wondering if the chemotherapy is really necessary or making a significant difference, but I am glad I finished and did all I could to improve my survival chances.

     Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009

    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Three Year Survivor 

  • skyhawk
    skyhawk Member Posts: 19
    #5
    If you go to Sloan or MD

    If you go to Sloan or MD Anderson, you will quickly find out that there is no recommendation for post-op chemo. That is what the sugery is for.

    The new treatment protocol is:

    4 rounds chemo, bring you back for a scan, then chemo and radiation, then sugery. No post-op chemo for any reason unless a recurrence.

     

  • Rickyr1219
    Rickyr1219 Member Posts: 53
    #6
    skyhawk said:

    If you go to Sloan or MD

    If you go to Sloan or MD Anderson, you will quickly find out that there is no recommendation for post-op chemo. That is what the sugery is for.

    The new treatment protocol is:

    4 rounds chemo, bring you back for a scan, then chemo and radiation, then sugery. No post-op chemo for any reason unless a recurrence.

     

    Same for me . No Post op Chemo

    I had 5 1/2 weeks combined chemo and Proton Radiation then an 8 week break beofre Ivor Lewis Surgery.  The radiation Oncologist wanted to do a Pet Scan after radiation but my insurance would not approve it unless it was at least 12 weeks since last treatment and mine would not have been.  Surgeon said I really didn't have to have it that he would take care of any remaining cancer with IL Surgery.  I had surgery Nov 2012 and will have a CT scan May 2013

     

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