Info?

So, having just been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer, which is inoperable.

No mention of 'stage' why, I wonder. 

set for stent and radiotherapy soon, no mention of chemo, is that not an option?

No mention of time prognosis, which is a double edged sword, I suppose.

  • Hi Redmick

    I'm saddened that you have been given the diagnosis you have with no option for surgery. Often the doctors don't tell you what stage a cancer is, but before your next visit write down the questions you have asked here and talk with the oncologist who will answer you quite frankly. I have head and neck cancer and was not offered chemotherapy as only 2.5% of patients respond to chemo for the particlar type of cancer, The consensus of the team treating me was the side effects would far outweigh any benefit I might get. I did have surgery and radiotherapy which was very severe but it was successful and I'm still here nearly 2 years after finishing the treatment. My prognosis was stage 4 with 20% chance surviving 2 years. I hope your treatment goes well. Kim

  • Good evening RedMick, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 

    When we were initially told that my husband's cancer had spread, we were totally shocked by that news as we were convinced he was going to be discharged (chemo went well, no symptoms etc.). Because of that, we didn't ask half of the questions we wanted to ask and so the next day I emailed the oncologist asking all the questions we had. 

    We were very lucky that our oncologist called and invited us for another appointment the following week to answer our queries (it helped a lot), but he was happy to email us instead if we couldn't have made the appointment.

    So it might be worth emailing your consultant and ask for more information? I find that all of the consultants we have seen so far have been very helpful and willing to answer as many questions we had as much as they could. Of course they don't always know all the answers but a little info is better than nothing. 

    I hope you get some answers soon and wish you all the best.