I have stage 3 cancer that has not spread and I have been told that the best route is chemo and radiotherapy. I am 82 and reasonably fit. Assuming I get through all of this what will my quality of life be like?
I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate you having questions about your quality of life during and after treatment.
Every one is different in how well they are able to tolerate cancer treatment and the side effects (and the severity) they experience. No one can predict how any one will be so often it is about gathering as much information you can about your proposed treatment and cancer to get a better understanding about what may happen to you.
Hopefully some other patients who have been through similar will pop on here to share their story with you. If not you may wish to ask your specialist nurse if there is another patient willing to talk to you about their journey, the side effects they had and what did or didn't help them through their treatment.
We have some general information aboutoesophageal cancerand it's treatments and the possible side effects on our website, so do take a look. There is also a section aboutLiving with oesophageal cancerand a list of other support organisations for patients who are undergoing or have undergone oesophageal cancer treatment.
Do also talk through what you should expect with your own specialist nurse and doctor who also will be there to support and guide you through the treatment.
I hope this is helpful. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
