Oesophagus Cancer

My mum had an Endoscopy yesterday morning which showed a "likely malignant" stricture of possibly 24cm.

I have been awake since 4am doing research (not the kind of scaremongering googling, I am helping myself to understand so I can support her in the best way possible). From my understanding, it is very unlikely that the doctors would have put this in the report and told my mum and dad that it was likely cancer if the chances of it being that were low. Of course, the biopsy will give the 100% truth.

In terms of the measurement I can only assume its due to the limited visibility they experienced during the endoscopy. Perhaps it was 24cm of the esophagus that they were unable to see as the stricture was in the middle. I only know what I've read so far but I'm guessing this could mean there's a cancerous tumour of some size in the middle or perhaps it started at the bottom and has grown in size and now is at the middle to bottom of her esophagus? She has GERD and has had difficulties swallowing hence the tests. 

I've seen a few stories of later stages / inoperable cases where they have lived many years. I want to maintain hope. She only had her first grandchild (my son) 4 months ago. She deserves to see him grow up even if its only his much younger years. She gave up drinking 11 years ago and smoking not long after that. This can't defeat her. She's already fought so much. She is only 61 years old, I am not even 30 yet. I cannot comprehend.

Please share your experiences. We are at the beginning of our journey but I am creating a guide to tell her all the possibilities and share hope with her. 

Is it possible their diagnosis of likely malignant could be wrong, even though the stricture hid visibility of most of her esophagus? 

UPDATE

CT scan now booked for this Thursday and consultation on Monday with all results hopefully.

Glad it's progressing quickly but very overwhelming and scary. They couldn't get the camera down due to strictre

  • Hi davek and hilts, 
    thankyou for responding to this post- I felt Unable to answer things specific.

    19291 -I'm glad you've got some words of wisdom.

     

    defo agree -once the docs know about cancer grading and results of scans then can set about a treatment plan. 
    I've waited 5weeks since my surgery to be told I defo need chemo. I feel a lot more chilled and relaxed about plan (I'm 42 -and cancer free after surgery but medium risk for recurrence due to grading, my age , mass size ) so chemo given to decrease recurrence )

    I can now focus on my treatment plan (4lots of chemo, then radio then meds)

    I feel like I'm in control -  next appt then the next .

    i set myself little goals and achieve something each day. 
    It's the not knowing -waiting for results that gets most people. 
    much love to all "victims" and "Watchers" 

    Efffie x

  • Yep, Davek.

    Know exactly what you mean. The 'one rogue cell thought' never leaves us either. We constantly think " what are they up to" . 
    I suppose for now they are behaving and at least responding to being murdered (:

    Effie- keep smashing 'em(:

    keep the faith

    Hilts

  • Hey, 

     

    I just came across your post. Sorry to hear about your mums dignosis. My dad was dignosed in June 2020 with stage 4 esophagus cancer. My dads symptoms where that he was unable to swallow food properly so he went to get a camera down his throat and that when they saw his cancer. My dad started  chemo which was on and off but he responded really well. He was well in himself and was able to enjoy food again. Unfortunately after about 10 months my dad started to decline and the chemo wasn't really doing much. 
     

     I'm happy to chat to you and share more detail of my dads decline as I literlaly was on Google every day just trying to get some help and guidance but everything is so unclear online it can get very confusing and you can feel so lost with it all. 
     

    how is your mum doing now? 
     

    my dad did sadly pass away on the 31/12/21 after a 16 month fight - I have never felt heartbreak like it :(

    let me know if you would like to speak further x