NetWellness Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:11:00 EST

Question: My Dad has stage 4 esophageal cancer. Diagnosed October 2011. It has spread, chest, and lymph nodes on both sides of his neck How long usually do people live with this cancer progressing rapidly?

Answer: Thank you for your question. With advanced Esophageal Cancer the survival time is very much dependent on the pateint and their overall health. The oncologist treating your father could best tell you the timing of this illness.

Best wishes.

Ask an Expert: Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD, Esophageal Cancer

Reoccuring Esophageal Cancer

Sandra Starnes MD — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:06:00 EST

Question: My family member had their esophagus removed due to cancer a few years ago and most recently had a few spots show up in a endoscope that did not look favorable. What is the prognosis for someone in this situation?

Answer: If the biopsy showed recurrence, it is usually treated with chemotherapy. While this is usually not curable, it really depends on the extent of the cancer.

Ask an Expert: Sandra Starnes MD, Esophageal Cancer

Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer

Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:05:00 EST

Question: My dad was just diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer (endocarcinoma cells) that has spread to his lungs and his liver. he also has Emphysema and is having great difficulty breathing. he also just had a recent heart attack that is causing concern as well.

he has been given the option to eith . . .

Answer: Unfortunately, time is extremely limited. The average lifespan is 3-4 months without treatment.

Ask an Expert: Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD, Esophageal Cancer

Stage IV Esophageal Cancer

Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:02:00 EST

Question: My grandmother was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer in September 2009. It is February 2010 and the cancer has already spread to her liver. I was wondering what her life expectancy can be if the cancer is spreading this quickly.

Answer: Life expectancy can be very variable in this instance. The cancer is not curable at this stage, but potentially treatable if her oncologist determines she is a candidate for it.

Ask an Expert: Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD, Esophageal Cancer

Mum with Esophageal Cancer Stage IV

Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:11:00 EST

Question: Hello, My mum has stage IV esophageal cancer. Her prognosis has been suggested as 1 year. She has tumour on the outside of her esophagus and has a stent in place to aid her eating. She has a small lesion on her liver and it has spread to her lymph nodes. The docotors are extremely negative and don`t . . .

Answer: Thank you for your questions. Unfortunately I am unable to address each case individually and most of these questions can be best answered by the physicians taking care of her. I hope that they can have this discussion with her.

Ask an Expert: Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD, Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer Stage III

Malek Safa MD — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:10:00 EST

Question: My father-in-law was diagnosed with EC Stage III December 2008. Had surgery in January 2009 removing almost all of the esophagus, reconnecting stomach and removing 5 lymph nodes. Went thru chemo and radiation. Now in October 2009, he is experiencing upper abdominal pain and continues to lose weight. . . .

Answer: Weight loss by itself could be due to malnutrition or due to swallowing problems: not sure. But having new abdominal pain is worrisome for recurrent disease specifically in the upper abdomen/peritoneum. PET scan could be still negative if the disease is small or has small nodules or peritoneal carci . . .

Ask an Expert: Malek Safa MD, Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:09:00 EST

Question:

My father who is 81,was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer 4months ago. He went through radium treatment, and he is very sick now. what life expectancy has he.

Answer: Thank you for your question. Your father's physician would be the best person to address the important question of life expectancy, and I hope that you can address this with him/her. Unfortunately, not knowing the details, we can not provide patient-specific diagnoses or prognoses.

Best . . .

Ask an Expert: Susan Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD, Esophageal Cancer

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Malek Safa MD — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:08:00 EST

Question: his T M N diagnosis was gullet 3 liver 2 nodules 1 he is having palliative chemo what can we expect his life expectiancy to be

Answer: Depending on your husband's response to chemotherapy, from 6 months to 1 year.

Ask an Expert: Malek Safa MD, Esophageal Cancer

Oesophageal Cancer

Malek Safa MD — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:08:00 EST

Question: My mum aged 82 has just been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer ( by Xray CT with contrast). She has been having progressive difficulty swallowing for the last 12 months.She had a bleeding ulcer which healed approx 5 years ago. She is a non smoker/ drinker all of her life.She has type 2 diabetes and . . .

Answer: Usually CT is not enough to diagnose esophageal cancer. Many patients could have difficulty swallowing but not due to cancer. For esophageal cancer, some patients who could not tolerate treatment like surgery or radiation might tolerate local therapy done through endoscopy, like laser/burning techn . . .

Ask an Expert: Malek Safa MD, Esophageal Cancer

Esophagus cancer post radiation

Prakash Gatta MD — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:07:00 EST

Question: THIS IS REOCCURANCE OF ESOPHAGUS CANCER [UPPER] ON THE EXTERIOR OF ESOPHAGUS AND HAS HISTORY OF ESOPHAGUS CANCER ON INNER SIDE AND WAS TREATED WITH CHEMORADIATION 11 YEARS BACK AND WAS CURED WITH NO MEDICATION THREAFTER. DOCTORS SUGGEST SURGERY ONLY AS WITH CURRENT CHEMO NO CHANGES ARE FOUND AND NAM . . .

Answer: You need to see a surgeon but I need more information regarding the location. If the cancer is closer to the neck, then you need to see an ENT surgeon. Otherwise, you should be referred to a thoracic or general surgeon.

Ask an Expert: Prakash Gatta MD, Esophageal Cancer