Hi Rem, 

I'm sorry to hear your brother wasn't able to have his 4th EXC infusion recently due to his blood count being too low and I can understand your concerns about him not receiving his daily drugs. Have you discussed this with his medical team? If you haven't had the chance to do so yet make sure you do as they will be in the best position to explain why this course of action is being taken and hopefully put your mind at ease.

Our cancer nurses may be able to give some insight in to this as well. If you would like to talk to them about your brother's situation do give them a call on their freephone number; 0808 800 4040. They are available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m, so there is still a chance to call them this afternoon if you have time.

Do let us know what happens if you can Rem and we wish your brother all the best with his next infusion in three weeks time.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Rem,

I was on EOX (a very similar chemo regime to ECX) for the same condition. My understanding is that there is a debate about the number of cycles given. I only had four x 3 week cycles because my Oncologist believed that any more than this would adversely affect my immune system. This sounded sensible to me, so I agreed to have four then have a scan and a break before deciding whether to have more. As it was the primary had shrunk by 60% and my mets by 50% after four cycles, so we stopped at that. 

Pausing chemo to allow the white blood cell count to recover is pretty common and is very sensible. There is a real risk of infection, especially pneumonia if the blood count is allowed to fall too far. When a friend had the same problem, she was advised to treat herself as if she was recovering from flu - plenty of fluids, plenty of rest and to try to eat well but little and often. 

Try not to worry too much - three cycles may have been enough to slow down or even shrink the cancer, if not it will be zapped as soon as he is fit enough to continue. 

Good luck!

Dave

Thanks for your response. We found it very difficult trying to contact someone at the hospital that could answer this question and indeed, 1 week later when my brother decided to go to the hospital and demand to see someone, he got a call advising of a cancelation and scheduling Chemo Infusion 4. So although he never got an answer (which was very disappointing - but to be fair, the first "bad experience" he has had) his treatment is now back on schedule. It is a shame that someone who is diagnosed with terminal cancer has to go through the added stress but for the moment - all's well that ends well.

Hi Dave,

hope you're well. 
I have come across your posts where you mentioned that you only had  received 4 cycles of chemo and that was enough. In the post above you wrote  that your Oncologist advised to have 4 cycles and then monitor. I am so happy that this has worked for you. 
That is quite an unusual approach as most oncologists push for at least 6 chemos. 
My mum has got stage 4 oesophageal cancer and her oncologist wants her to have 8 cycles. 
I would really appreciate if you could advise on contact details of your oncologist, so perhaps I could get a second opinion. 
thank you in advance 

I am also interested in this, my husband has been told he will have 8 cycles (6 months) EOX, but has had to pause middle of round 2, due to extreme side effects (continued bad stomach) I am not sure 8 rounds is wise especially back to back, it seems barbaric! Of course I am now worrying his tumours are growing while he is not getting the chemo meds. Oh to be worrying about just not going on holiday like I was last year...! 

Thank you, and good to hear your mum is doing well. I think a small break is so needed, for mental as well as physical health.