Hereditary/Genetic links

Binkie22
Binkie22 Member Posts: 10
in Esophageal Cancer #1

My husband was only 40 when diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction in September 2014. He was going to our local doctor since January 2014 and she was treating him for reflux, he went to her 4 times over an 8 month period but he didn't get sent for a scope until August when he had trouble swallowing. He had a very late diagnosis of stage 4 so was not a candidate for surgery, he had a few different types of chemo but sadly he died in May. He was not overweight, didn't drink alcohol or smoke. 

I have two children aged 8 and 10, our oncologist told us there is no genetic or hereditary link for this type of cancer but I still worry about it. She said it's more of a familial risk in that people may have the same body type, eat the same diet, be predisposed to acid reflux. Can anyone shed any light on this and what I should do? It is too late for genetic testing I guess as my husband is not here to collect samples from. I am worried sick that my children may be at increased risk of this disease, it was horrific and I can't bear the thought of either of them suffering as adults from it.

Thanks.

Comments

  • JC
    JC Member Posts: 1
    #2
    Hi,
     
    I have suffered reflux

    Hi,

     

    I have suffered reflux all my life and so did my father. He sadly died from oesophegal cancer post ivor lewis because it was identified too late. My GORD was diagnosed about 20 years ago just after Dad died. I am now 58. He was 69 at time of his death.

     

    I am one of five children and we have all been diagnosed with reflux since Dads death. One of my brothers never experienced any usual symptoms. My 2 children, now 35 and 33, have both been diagnosed as well. My daughter never experienced any symptoms.  The doctors all discount any hereditary links.

     

    If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck....you make up your own mind but I'd be keeping a close watch and getting the gastroscopy as soon as reasonable to do so. Even treatment for reflux doesn't guarantee a reflux sufferer will be cancer free. I had received treatment for just under 20 years but underwent ivor lewis surgery to remove cancer last year.

     

    The docs do their best but there is still much they don't know.

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Hereditary/Genetic Links

    My Aunt (my mother's youngest sister) died of esophageal cancer at age 75 after fighting it for 3 1/2 years.  Our family had no cancer in it whatsoever.  My husband just passed away from esophageal cancer.  He was first diagnosed and treated for laryngeal cancer and was doing great.  Then one year later during an endoscope our head and neck specialist found cancer at the cervical of his esophagus, which is rare.  The doctor told us it was a secondary cancer and that it couldn't be operated on.  I guess it was due to the fact that he had already had radiation and then surgery and this was in basically the same spot.  He did 37 radiations and 7 chemo treatments and was clear for about 8 months when the tumor at the cervical of his esophagus returned and spread to his right lung.  Yes he was a pipe smoker and beer drinker but once again there was no cancer in his family.  Of course, I have to wonder if the first 35 rounds of radiation caused the cancer at the cervical of his esophagus.  His secondary cancer, according to what I have read is rare and the survival rate with or without any kind of treatment is about the same 25 months.  He lived 3 years.  So see no one knows but the man upstairs when your time is up, be you young or old.  

    I have had reflux ever since I swallowed poison at age 10.  Personally, I don't think doctors know what causes cancer.  We all have the genes but something activates them.  I think it is more the preservatives that are used in our foods today.  I met many during my husband's treatments that never smoked, drank or even had reflux but yet they had cancer.  Our youngest son at age 41 had one kidney removed due to cancer, he doesn't smoke or drink.  Yes he is a survivor, thank goodness.    

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