This is by far the best explanation of how one gets oesophageal cancer. In my case I never smoked nor drank to excess. Although I did drink about 4 coffees a day and enjoyed spicy food. I used to always get indigestion then about 15 months ago I didn't. Around 13 months ago I found it hard to swallow, getting the hiccups or having the sensation of food getting stuck in my throat. Luckily I had these symptoms otherwise they wouldn't have been able to catch the cancer in time. After having chemo/radiotherapy then an oesophagectomy to reconstruct my esophagus and cut out any lymph nodes. I am currently having immunotherapy to ensure the cancer doesn't return.
I was treated in Belgium and the procedure was much simpler. Only 3 conditions for starting treatment: no metastases, good general condition, no smoking.
Just had some biopsies done on my esophagus. Been vomiting, dehydrated, staying sick to stomach. Lost a lot of weight ,I lost appetite, but here lately that's gottenbetter . One of "abnormalities" found ,the doctor said he would have to refer me to a specialist to biopsie . I had a endoscopy 6 years ago and i was told i should have one every year . I didn't do that , and I went for long periods of time without taking the medication. So whatever is wrong with me I can't say I wasn't warned.
I am so sorry for that you have endured. It can be ever so overwhelming and scary. Please don't beat yourself up about not getting the medical care recommended. - such as yearly endoscopy. Most of us have done the same. I use to have to get up to three endoscopes done, on a yearly basis. My last one done was 2019. I have been having issues since last April 2021. I will spare you all the details. What I wish to share is that for different reasons, I had to put off getting an endoscopy. Then, I was dealing with a tin of changes in my life, and I could go on and on. I was suppose to get both an endoscopy and colonoscopy done last August 2021. Here we are, and it is end of July 2022. I have some changes in my neck, and within my esophagus, that have worsened. I am now extremely worried and scared. I put other things and people before my own wellbeing. Now, I must get things sorted asap, and face whatever is going on. We all put things off for different reasons. There is nothing that can be done about that. However, we can get the help, care and support we need and deserve now. The sooner, the better! Please let us know how you are doing, since you last posted. Holding you in my thoughts, heart and prayers. 🙏💗
I never smoked. I don't drink I don't do drugs. But is so strange that everything you are mentioning here is what I am going through. My specialist have done a lot of done so many things even stretching my esophagus, and my throat my voice is always horse I hate it, I am always with stomach pain ? I been like this for over 4 years it's gotten to the point that the pain is so horrible that I just stay in my bed rolled up with my knees up to my chest , & fall asleep crying with pain I don't know what else to do.
I feel your pain I’ve had issues with my esophagus and stomach and now bowels for 21 years and the older I get the worse I feel. Stay strong I’ll pray for you I hope you get some answers
Thank you for such a helpful and informative video - one of the best explainers I've seen that covers all the bases. I'm a Stage 3 patient being treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I've gone through chemo and radiation and will have an esophogectomy in two weeks, followed by a year of immunotherapy (nivulomab). I have a great care team, and remain cautiously optimistic about the future, though the current survival rates included here (which I've seen elsewhere) are discouraging. I'm hoping that data is somewhat outdated and may not reflect the most current and best treatment protocols.
The 5 yr stats for survival are quite outdated now. What are the survival rates in 2023 and also what effect does immunotherapy have on these survival rates.
Please refer to Parkview Health for the most up-to-date clinical information and additional questions about updates on survival rates, and to the national cancer institute for current clinical study findings on FDA approved immunotherapies.
