My Dad - Stage IV EC with mets to Lungs, Stomach & Liver

helpforhud
helpforhud Member Posts: 2
edited February 2015 in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hello,

My dad was recently diagnosed with Stage IV EC with mets to Lungs, Stomach & Liver. In both lungs there are multiple tumors. The tumor in the lower third of his esophagus is huge (engulfs the entire diameter of esophagus, with a hole about 1/4in for food/water to pass through), and he can no longer eat solids, and can barely get liquids down. His liver has a tumor that is 10cm in diameter. It is inoperable.

Symptoms started around November 2014. He couldn't eat as much as he used to, and then started to have trouble swallowing. He has lost 50lbs from that alone. 

We meet with the oncologist tomorrow to discuss treatment options, if there are any. My dad doesn't want to be sick, doesn't want to suffer, and doesn't want treatment if it is going to make him feel worse. So we are preparing for a quick decline. I am trying to be realistic, honor his choices, and make him comfortable. He is currently still hurting and nauseous even with the pain and nausea meds. 

Does anyone else know someone that experienced EC with this kind of metastasis? Even though we will have more info tomorrow from the oncologist, I'd like to hear some other experiences. Good or bad. I can handle it, so please don't be afraid to share short survival times, etc. 

 

Thank you in advance,

J

Comments

  • dfd24
    dfd24 Member Posts: 91
    #2
    hello,
    make sure your dad was

    hello,

    make sure your dad was tested for HER2. If he is positive then herceptin, a targeted therapy is part of the treatment and often works very well. 

    all the best ,

    danièle

  • helpforhud
    helpforhud Member Posts: 2
    #3
    dfd24 said:

    hello,
    make sure your dad was

    hello,

    make sure your dad was tested for HER2. If he is positive then herceptin, a targeted therapy is part of the treatment and often works very well. 

    all the best ,

    danièle

    Visit With Oncologist

    Hi Daniele,

    Thank you for your reply. The pathologist is testing for HER2, but we found out the cancer is so aggressive and advanced that radiation is no longer an option and chemo will likely only give him a couple of months. Without treatment, they are estimating that he will have about 6 months. He doesn't want chemo to knock him on his **** and ruin his quality of life, so he is considering not having it. He will possibly get a stent though, to allow him to eat. I support whatever decision he makes, and just want him to be comfortable. 

    Thanks, 

    J

  • dfd24
    dfd24 Member Posts: 91
    #4
    helpforhud said:

    Visit With Oncologist

    Hi Daniele,

    Thank you for your reply. The pathologist is testing for HER2, but we found out the cancer is so aggressive and advanced that radiation is no longer an option and chemo will likely only give him a couple of months. Without treatment, they are estimating that he will have about 6 months. He doesn't want chemo to knock him on his **** and ruin his quality of life, so he is considering not having it. He will possibly get a stent though, to allow him to eat. I support whatever decision he makes, and just want him to be comfortable. 

    Thanks, 

    J

    HER2 positive and herceptin

    Hello,

    if he is Her2 positive he will get herceptin. it has very few side effects and can be very active in fighting the cancer. also, doctors can't really know how long and very often tell people they have months and years later with treatment they are doing well. 

    take care,

    danièle

  • Hope80
    Hope80 Member Posts: 12 Member
    #5
    helpforhud said:

    Visit With Oncologist

    Hi Daniele,

    Thank you for your reply. The pathologist is testing for HER2, but we found out the cancer is so aggressive and advanced that radiation is no longer an option and chemo will likely only give him a couple of months. Without treatment, they are estimating that he will have about 6 months. He doesn't want chemo to knock him on his **** and ruin his quality of life, so he is considering not having it. He will possibly get a stent though, to allow him to eat. I support whatever decision he makes, and just want him to be comfortable. 

    Thanks, 

    J

    PLEASE, NO STENT!

    Please, reconsider a stent placement.

    My brother was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable esophageal cancer. He could barely keep anything down,  they immediately suggested to him and his wife to have the stent placement by allowing my brother to believe that it would improve his ability to eat. FALSE!

    Turns out the stent was to only help in keeping the esophagus open.

    He and his wife were devastated, thinking he would be able to eat.

    My brother did no research on the stent, if he had he never would of had it.

    This stent caused most of his chest pain. He still could not eat and the tumor eventually intertwined  in the stent blocking all passageways and he was completely unable to swallow even his own saliva.

    i hope to post more to you later in the day but had to yell out to you NO STENT!

    My brother lived only two years after diagnosis. The chemo treatments only agonized his suffering and took away his quality of life.

    He was only 54

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