Cancer Research UK main site

Newly diagnosed with oesophageal cancer - prognosis less than a year

SB76
Offline

My dad had just been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer which after pet scan showed it has spread to lymph nodes and possibly prostate (needs further investigation). Told operation isn’t an option and oncologist may decide against chemo. Prognosis is less than a year with chemo adding 3 months. Is this worth it if he is given the choice of chemo? He’s so down and has started counting down the days. He’s 75 and otherwise in good health. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep his spirits up? 

  • Offline

    Hello SB76, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your father's oesophageal cancer diagnosis and that it has spread to lymph nodes and possibly prostate. It must be such a stressful time for him and the family as he may be going through further investigations and there is therefore still a lot of uncertainty. I am so sorry to hear surgery isn't an option for him and that prognosis is less than a year. It's a very difficult choice to have to make whether to go for chemotherapy treatment or not if the choice is given to him. It's worth discussing it with your dad's specialist before making the decision so you can have all the information at hand - you can also write down a list of questions to ask that may be in your mind at the moment about the possible benefits of chemotherapy. 

    It's completely understandable that your poor dad is feeling very down after the news and it's so sad that he is counting down the days. It's important to remember that it's really difficult to give an accurate prognosis so try and reassure him that these estimates are not always reliable and so many people long outlive their prognosis. This perhaps would help him stop counting down the days and enjoy the quality time he can still have every day with his loved ones especially as you mention he is otherwise in good health. 

    There are helpful tips on our website on how to support someone with cancer and be a good listener which I hope will help you understand the emotions your dad might be feeling so you can communicate with him and support him in the best possible way.  

    I hope you won't mind but I have added the words 'oesophageal cancer' to the title of your thread so it can be spotted by other members of our forum who have been affected by oesophageal cancer like  whose inspirational story you can read on his profile description.

    We're thinking of you and your father during this difficult time and hope that you will have some good suggestions from other members of our community who have been in a similar place before. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi,

    This is difficult to answer but it shouldn’t be a decision for the oncologist to make but your Dad. They are not allowed to discriminate by age but they can recommend against chemo if someone seems too frail to survive the chemo.

    My case is unusual but I was in a similar position in 2013 at the age of 55 when I was told chemo might give me an extra 6 to 12 months. 

    Survival statistics are useful for large groups of patients but worse than usual for individuals. 


    Good luck!

    Dave

  • Offline

    Sorry I don’t have any advice but just wanted to say my 80 year old husband had his stomach out last Jan, we was told at the start before they knew if it had spread or not that he wouldn’t be having chemo as the hospital doesn’t give it to over 75s, they said that they had found older people don’t do so well with it. I also know 2 other people who had Oesophagus cancer not having chemo at the same hospital. For 80 he’s fairly fit so that didn’t have anything to do with not having chemo. Good luck to your dad xx

  • Offline in reply to SueCC

    Sue,

    That hospital’s approach is as disgraceful as it is unlawful. 

    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/archive/age-discrimination-rife-in-cancer-treatment/


    Good luck to you and your Dad
    Dave

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.