Esophagogastric junction cancer - both esophageal and stomach diagnosis - Atlanta area

I agree with Moe, read the posts by William, he is very insightful. If his not eating is due to difficulty eating/swallowing because of a tumor than softer foods that won't get stuck as easily, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, puddings, etc. would help, it did with me prior to surgery and removing the tumor. I hope all goes well with all of the appointments I wish you the best!!

Cathy

My father was also
My father was also diagnosised with EC in Dec. 2008. I followed the advice from WilliamMarshall and took him to Pittsburgh, PA to meet with Dr. Luketich. It was a positive expererince, however my dad was not a candiate for surgery at this time. He's now in a clinical study in PA. If you'd like the information for that I'm happy to give it to you. He goes in for chemo for 2 weeks, comes home a week, and back. He's had 2 cycles and the tumor is shrinking. It's very hard dealing with this cancer.

atlantamm said:

Esophageal test results today - 7-13-09
We are going back to the oncologist today to get the results from all the tests my hubby has had last week, including the staging. He had a PET/CAT scan, EKG, and pulmonary function test (he also has emphysema), as well as blood work. We met with the thoracic surgeon in Atlanta, Dr. John E. Moore, who was recommended very highly to see if Pete is a good candidate for the surgery, which one has not been decided. He said he would describe the tumor as T3. What does that mean?

There is so much that is new to both of us... and I can so very much relate to the comments that the caregivers have made about how they feel. It is very scarey, not knowing what we are facing.

Thanks to everyone for any comments or help you can offer.

Will keep you posted. We are in the Atlanta area.

Ruthie

Ruthie,

T3 means that the tumor invades the outermost layer of the esophagus wall. I wish you guys the best finding out all the results today. No matter what, know that there is hope and you guys can fight this!

Cathy

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Please help! Thanks!!
William,
My dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and I would looove for him to talk to you. he is veeery confident about following the orders of his oncologist who is the director of the gastroenterology oncology program at emory university hospital in atlanta. my dad is not a candidate for surgery so he will be taking a 3 chemo regimen starting on monday. i think its called the EOF protocol. my dad is "ready to fight fire with fire" so we are all on a mission. i think it is very important to hear from someone who's been through it. his biggest concern is that his feelings, both emotional and physical, may not be normal. he is not a "support group" type of person so i just read the replies to him. i do think though that talking to someone would make a world of difference at this early stage. the doctor has not given him any prognosis, and we aren't even going to get into the internet stats. the more positive he is, the better. although my dad is at stage 4, no organs have been involved, yet there are cancerous lymph nodes. i think he is mentally weary and frustrated because the last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind of tests, stent, and port. now we just want to get the show on the road! please email me if you can so that we can exchange phone numbers. my email is madfreedom2003@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Marissa

Adenocarcinoma ( Tumor in GE Junction )
I want to add a summary of what has been going on with my wife's Cancer. I too, need to know more. What to expect, what do you read into what I just told you about my wife's status, etc.

Here is my letter:


My name is Pino. My wife Lisa, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma from a Biopsy performed during an EGD in Late July 2010, because she had trouble swallowing for a couple of months. An initial Upper GI showed a mass. EGD & Biopsy & CT Scan confirmed it being a Cancerous Tumor. This all started because she has always had trouble battling GERD. In May, she started experiencing some trouble swallowing, but it got worse in June. In mid July, we went to get the UGI, then 2 weeks later a EGD. On Aug. 2nd, we received the official diagnosis from her GP and Gastrointestinal DR. This past Friday, Aug. 20th, we had our first appointment with our new Oncologist at MD Anderson in Houston, Tx. He would not really get into too much detail about what he suspects, until he received all new tests done there at MD Anderson. He received all the reports and test results and scan, tissues, etc. from our Dr.'s and revieved their findings. But still wanted to go with new and updated testing. That Friday, Lisa had blood work, X-rays, CT Scan.
We went back today, Aug. 25th, for more blood work and a PET Scan. They also installed an external Catheter to use for the Chemo therapy, instead of a regular IV.
Our Dr. will again speak to us on Friday, Aug. 27th, to explain to us what stage he believes Lisa is at and any other developments pertaining to any spread of the Cancer.
He told Lisa On Tuesday, this week, that he wants to start her on Chemo first, for 4 months going every 14 days. He wants to check on the Chemo after 2 months to see how it is helping or not. No mention of radiation has been spoken yet. Surgery, he feels, may not be needed just yet because he wants to shrink the Tumor and perhaps try to eliminate it that way. Of course, all this was said before he got back the Pet scan results and before he has spoken to us in dept about her condition or prognosis. We are so scared and fearful of the news we will get on Friday. We are Faith based people and pray to our LORD all the time. We pray that GOD heals Lisa of her Cancer and gives her a long life afterwards to pay it forward, to spread the word about Cancer prevention.

Praise God Almighty. He is the Healer. I will pray tonight for all those patients out there in the world and the families going through this as well. Reading this Blog does inspire me to have hope and confidence in this life altering event. I'm sorry I wrote a long letter, but this is therapy for me. I certainly will pray for you all here.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!

Gatoraid said:

I'm Recently Diagnosed Also
It seems that you may be where I would be a few months from now if I hadn't been diagnosed with stage III Ec on August 9th. I have a 2 inch long tumor that is obstructing 2/3 of my lumen (stomach entrance) with 2 lymph nodes positive; one at the top of my stomach and one a little farther away in my abdomen. The CT/Pet scan will show alot. cancer cells react to sugar and the Pet scan will show any cells that have obsorbed sugar, which is a good indicator of the spread. I will be trated at Mass General here in Boston, starting with Chemo and 28 days of radiation using IMRT which precisely targets the tumor to keep exposure to good tissue to a minimum. At MGH their approach is to shrink and kill the tumor as fast as possible which the radiation accomplishes. In the old days you received one massive dose which was not a good thing, but now they give you 28 smaller doses over 28 days (5 1/2 weeks) to give the radiation in smaller doses more gradually. The chemo goes after dividing cells throughout your body. The cancerous cells die, while to good cells recover withing 24 hours. The information you get on the internet may be dated or really not apply to your treatment so please don't scare yourself over misinformation. I found cancer.net to be good. As far as eating goes, protien is important. Sylvester Stallone puddings are really good and give you 20 grams of protein in one small can. Since we are both starting out, please feel free to contact me and exchange information. Much of what you see here is helpfull to a degree but I found that by doing some thorough research I already knew alot of what I was told here. I looked up the 10 best places for cancer and found 2 in Boston, and poured over their websites. I also looked at the Mayo Clinic. You want a place that has a large cancer setup with a team approach: Medical Oncologist to manage the team, Thoracic surgeon with solid experience in lapascopic non invasive surgery, state of the art radiology at a hospital with a cancer wing with nurses specializing on cancer care. This is scary stuff but you must be actively involved and comfortable in the decisions that effect you. Remember, alot of people make it through this and many of the statistics don't apply to your situation. 20 years ago, adenocarcinoma accounted for only 10% of all Esophagus Cancel and today it is 50%. Most clinical trials in the past had alot of Squamus Cell which is much worse, which is why any statistics that had both are frightening. Keep in touch and don't get discouraged. My approach is to know everything about this; the more I know, the better my chances. We can get through this so don't be discouraged.

Take care, Jim aka gatoraid

Jim, or do want me to call you Gatoraid? Either one is cool with me.

My name is Pino. Email me at dabudman4567@yahoo.com. We can communicate further.
Thanks for your reply. As for others out there in same situation, I welcome friendships
of support and encouragement and IMFORMATION that is of value, not doom and gloom.
Although, I need to know that facts, no sugar coating. I always expect the worse, but hope and pray for the best. I pray to GOD always and keep my faith in Him.

GOD BLESS!!

Pino