I need a Help

Rinkaul Shukla
Rinkaul Shukla Member Posts: 2
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hello All,

Myself Rinkaul Shukla from India. My mother (62 yrs.) dignosed as squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. stage 4a. Non matastatic.

But non operable due to leson abuts on aorta and trechea. Also enlarged nodes are involved as per CT scan. All other body organs and their functions are well beyond expectation

Treatment just started but only as palliative Radiation Therapy for 5days a week. She had only problem with solid food sallowing and weight reduced upto 8 kg.

Can anyone suggest the right way to treat this. Rightk now i disn't say her that what is actual she had only she know that she has a cancer.

Please help

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #2
    Shrinking the tumor in the short term is the best approach

    Hello Rinkaul,

    I am sorry to hear of your mother’s diagnosis with squamous cell esophageal cancer. It sounds like her doctors are taking the right approach in terms of attempting to shrink the tumor with radiation. Since surgical options are not available because of the proximity to the aorta and trachea, radiation may be the best treatment to give her some relief.

    Many esophageal cancer patients find that after some treatments, the tumor shrinks, and swallowing becomes less difficult.

    If your mother continues to lose weight, other options include the placement of a jejunostomy tube (J-tube) to supplement her nutritional needs. Here is a link to information about “J-tubes” https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000181.htm

    An additional option, is chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Many patients receive both chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time. This, of course, would be dependent on your mother’s ability to tolerate both treatments at the same time. Here is a link that describes other treatment options that may be considered. http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/esophageal-cancer/treatment-options

    I would also suggest you insure that her doctors have had her tested for a protein called human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2). Some esophageal cancer patients that are HER2 positive have good results with a “targeted therapy” using a drug called trastuzumab (Herceptin).

    With surgery not available as an option, it appears her doctors are taking the best approach in the short term with therapy focused at shrinking the tumor.

    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
    Five Year Survivor

     

     

  • Rinkaul Shukla
    Rinkaul Shukla Member Posts: 2
    #3
    paul61 said:

    Shrinking the tumor in the short term is the best approach

    Hello Rinkaul,

    I am sorry to hear of your mother’s diagnosis with squamous cell esophageal cancer. It sounds like her doctors are taking the right approach in terms of attempting to shrink the tumor with radiation. Since surgical options are not available because of the proximity to the aorta and trachea, radiation may be the best treatment to give her some relief.

    Many esophageal cancer patients find that after some treatments, the tumor shrinks, and swallowing becomes less difficult.

    If your mother continues to lose weight, other options include the placement of a jejunostomy tube (J-tube) to supplement her nutritional needs. Here is a link to information about “J-tubes” https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000181.htm

    An additional option, is chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Many patients receive both chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time. This, of course, would be dependent on your mother’s ability to tolerate both treatments at the same time. Here is a link that describes other treatment options that may be considered. http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/esophageal-cancer/treatment-options

    I would also suggest you insure that her doctors have had her tested for a protein called human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2). Some esophageal cancer patients that are HER2 positive have good results with a “targeted therapy” using a drug called trastuzumab (Herceptin).

    With surgery not available as an option, it appears her doctors are taking the best approach in the short term with therapy focused at shrinking the tumor.

    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
    Five Year Survivor

     

     

    Thank you paul

    Dear Paul

    Thanking you for some possitive reply i heard after long time. I am trying now naturotherapy to remain the weight of body same (My mothers). When dignosed weight was 44 kg. but now she gain 2 kg and increased weight 46 kg. She just had taken Palliative radiation for only 10 days.

    I have ensure HER2 test and its negative.

    May be due to this Dr. now confident and decided to improve the treatment From (Palliative to Curative treatment) from 2nd MArch. Only difference is they had trying to releave syntoms and now they will try to cure. 

    Thanking You

    Rinkaul SHukla

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