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Oesophageal cancer

Scared2289
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My mother has just been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and they think it's stage 2 at the moment she's going for a PET scan next week, and if nothing shows on that scan it will be stage 2. Please can some one help me out with the prognosis of how long she will live, as I'm look on the cancer research page about it and I can't seem to understand it all but all I keep reading is that even after treatment there isn't a high % of living past 5 years is this right? Or am I just going crazy from all this information.

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    Hello Scared2289, 

    I am sorry to hear about your mum's diagnosis. Try not to focus too much on this prognosis page as every person is different and reacts differently to treatment and it is often impossible to predict how long a person might live. One of our members [@davek]‍ who was also diagnosed with oesophageal cancer knows a thing or two about this so do take any prognosis with a big pinch of salt! Do talk to your mum's medical team though about what to expect or don't hesitate to ask them any questions you may have about your mum's treatment plan for example. 

    Our nurses are also always around should you need to talk things through with them or ask them any questions about what you have read on our page about oesophageal cancer. You can call them on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope you will also hear from other members who have been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and that they will share their personal story with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

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    Hi,

    As Lucy says, it’s only natural to ask how long someone has, but frustratingly it varies so much from one patient to the next. Survival rates are OK for use with thousands of patients but can’t be accurately applied to small numbers, let alone individual patients. 

    The earlier cancer is detected and treated, the higher the chance of recovery.

    Fitness levels, age, frailty and whether someone has other ailments all have an influence on survival - but none of these are taken into account when the average rates are calculated.

    Survival rates are also improving year on year, but the statistics are often lagging behind reality.  

    I hope the PET scan brings relatively good news.

    Best wishes

    Dave

     

     

     

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