New here hello everyone ..need advice

Zoe1
Zoe1 Member Posts: 22
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi

We just found out that my Dad age 70 has esophageal cancer but not sure about the stage yet ..we think it might be stage 3.. for now they have not told us about the stage yet but my cousin's husband who is a doctor(from sydney) thinks its T3N2M0...its a nightmare for me and as an only child it's really hard. I've beeen reading about your disscusion here since last week when I first heard about my Dad's illness and its given me much comfort and since reading about William's has given me hope and encouragement. I am from India but am living in China my Dad is in India will be going back to India just after christmas. I am loss about what to do but I know from this site that 2nd opinion is a must and I dont know anything about a good Doctor for this kind of cancer in India. My Dad's just got his biopsy yesterday and he will be seeing a cancer specialist there tomorow..we live in a small town so we'll probably have to go to big city like Delhi or Mumbai if surgery is needed even if it's not needed we will should still go. I want the best for my father but just dont know what to do at the moment ....in the process of asking for the best doctor in India for this type of cancer. Anyone from India on this forum who can give some tips on which Doctor/hospital to go to?

I wish I was in USA too.. you are all so lucky to get the best cancer hospitals and also the best Doctors

Do pray for us ...will keep you all updated when we know everything and our next course of action ..this is the battle that I/we intend to win :)

Cheers to all the brave people here

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
    Welcome to our little EC family
    Zoe,

    Welcome to our group. I am sorry you find us under such a difficult situation for your Dad. There is another person from India who posts on this board. His Dad is also in treatment for esophageal cancer. He posts under the ID of sham81, you can find his initial post here:

    sham81

    His father is getting treatment in New Delhi. Of course a second opinion from a recognized cancer center is an excellent idea. The second suggestion would be to find a surgeon and a hospital in India where they have knowledge of the latest surgical technigues like robotically assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

    Here is a description of this surgical approach written by several doctors that appear to be associated with GEM Hospital in Coimbatore, India:

    Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

    Here is the home page for their Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Center:

    Advanced Surgery Center

    I should stress that I have no knowledge of the quality of this hospital, only that they seem to understand the surgical approach. I would look for a high quality cancer center first, and then try to find a surgeon qualified to perform MIE.

    If you let us know specifics about your Dad’s staging perhaps we can be more specific in our suggestions.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • Zoe1
    Zoe1 Member Posts: 22
    #3
    paul61 said:

    Welcome to our little EC family
    Zoe,

    Welcome to our group. I am sorry you find us under such a difficult situation for your Dad. There is another person from India who posts on this board. His Dad is also in treatment for esophageal cancer. He posts under the ID of sham81, you can find his initial post here:

    sham81

    His father is getting treatment in New Delhi. Of course a second opinion from a recognized cancer center is an excellent idea. The second suggestion would be to find a surgeon and a hospital in India where they have knowledge of the latest surgical technigues like robotically assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

    Here is a description of this surgical approach written by several doctors that appear to be associated with GEM Hospital in Coimbatore, India:

    Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

    Here is the home page for their Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Center:

    Advanced Surgery Center

    I should stress that I have no knowledge of the quality of this hospital, only that they seem to understand the surgical approach. I would look for a high quality cancer center first, and then try to find a surgeon qualified to perform MIE.

    If you let us know specifics about your Dad’s staging perhaps we can be more specific in our suggestions.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
    Hi Paul
    Thanks so much for
    Hi Paul

    Thanks so much for the reply. My Dad had a blood test which will come out today itself. He is going for chemo then followed at later stage by radiation . His cancer is squamous cell carcinoma ..I think there are two type of esophageal cancer? and I think most people here have the other one? The doctor said he is not a candidate for surgery because his is too near the spinal cord. I dont think they do the staging like they do in US. The doctor here said stage 3.
    I think he will do the chemo back home (I think chemo is all the same anywhere?just depends on the medicine it contains?)
    Anyone else here that you know has squamous cell carcinoma?

    Yes I saw sham81 post but He didnt not write which hospital or give any update.

    Thanks again and will post again soon
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Zoe1 said:

    Hi Paul
    Thanks so much for
    Hi Paul

    Thanks so much for the reply. My Dad had a blood test which will come out today itself. He is going for chemo then followed at later stage by radiation . His cancer is squamous cell carcinoma ..I think there are two type of esophageal cancer? and I think most people here have the other one? The doctor said he is not a candidate for surgery because his is too near the spinal cord. I dont think they do the staging like they do in US. The doctor here said stage 3.
    I think he will do the chemo back home (I think chemo is all the same anywhere?just depends on the medicine it contains?)
    Anyone else here that you know has squamous cell carcinoma?

    Yes I saw sham81 post but He didnt not write which hospital or give any update.

    Thanks again and will post again soon

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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