Refusing any Treatment for Esophagul Cancer

Well you are fortunate that your esophageal cancer was diagnosed early. I assume your oncologist or surgeon has investigated endoscopic submucosal dissection and decided the tumor has invaded too far into the submucosal layer of your esophagus to be removed with that approach.

There are certainly esophageal cancer survivors who have not had surgery and had only chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, and radiation therapy and are currently in remission. Most of them decided not to have surgery because they had other chronic health issues that precluded surgery.

Of course the best chance of long term remission is a three fold approach of chemotherapy or immunotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Of course no-one wants to have surgery, but many do and recover just fine.

I had my Ivor Lewis esophagectomy 14 years ago and my lifestyle is just fine with some minor adjustments.

I need to eat small meals several times a day. I need to sleep with my chest and head elevated. I need to avoid certain foods. But other than that my life is just like before I was diagnosed.

If you want to discuss your situation with a group of cancer survivors who have both had surgery and have not had surgery, we have a bi-weekly Zoom call:

I think it is anybody's guess it what direction any residual cells might grow. If I were in your position I would be asking about the testing of the tumor tissue sample for HER2 and PDL-1 status and possible adjuvant immunotherapy with Opdivo or Keytruda. In addition I would ask about regular Signatera MRD testing as an early detection precaution.

Well, let me tell you my husband's story. He is 55 yrs old. He began having crazy hiccups in the summer of 2021. He went to some Speech therapy to improve his swallow, but it continued until one time he couldn't breath. The therapist eventually recommended an endoscope of his throat. He was diagnosed with stage 3 esoph cancer (adenocarcinoma) in Feb 2022. Only stage 3 because it was in 1 lymph node. Did 8 rounds of chemo, 35 radiation treatments along with another 4 rounds of chemo simultaneously, underwent an esophagectomy in Jan 2023. The first 5 weeks after surgery were tough. He had the Ivor Lewis. No feeding tube. Was eating soft food 3 days later. Took 8 weeks off of work, but probably could have done 6 weeks and returned part time. He lost about 20 lbs, but has gained about 5 of it back. Sleeps on a wedge pillow. We went along planning life and in April he went for a check up with oncologist. Blood work was off. After a CT with contrast, PET scan, and endoscopic ultrasound, his cancer has come back near his surgical site (lymph nodes) and has spread to his lungs. Now stage 4 obviously. He will begin chemo and immunotherapy again in a few weeks. There are no guarantees. The survival rate is low; recurrence is high. It bites.

I'm so sorry about your husband, my husband was diagnosed in March with stage 3 and I'm so scared about the outcomes. He is only 50

I didn’t reread my comment but it should’ve said esophageal cancer

I'm stage 3 and my cancer was diagnosed last September 10th when I was 110 pounds. Wasn't til I was 95 pounds when they put in a g tube feeding tube in my stomach, I'm currently 140 and un treated. I do a proper formula and drink diet and am surviving very well. You can too