[that_one]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any experiences with this type of cancer? My Dad is in the process of being diagnosed, they've found the tumour and we are waiting to find out if it has spread, but being a biology student I have done my research and the outcome isnt good for 90%+ of people.

I know it sounds horrible but I have kind of accepted fate, the worst possible fate too and it isnt even all confirmed yet (my boyfriend says its my denial coping mechanism..?)
Basically I think I was just wondering if many people had experienced this with family/friends as its not a common cancer and my family aren't exactly the talking/sharing type of family

[R. Murray]

I went through this with my Grandad last year. He went to the doctor as he had trouble swallowing. When he was diagnosed they told us the cancer had spread to the liver and lymph nodes. Because of this they could only offer palliative care. Chemotherapy was offered but given the prognosis (months - he was diagnosed in August and passed away in October) he didn't want to go through all that and gain a couple of months at the most.

I think a little bit of denial is healthy in these situations. I don't want to give you false hope or anything, but your Dad might be able to have treatment and have a better prognosis than my Grandad had.

It could be worth talking to Macmillan who'll be able to tell you what to expect. I found the one at my local hospice quite uncaring but the one at the hospital fantastic (as was the one who visited him when he was at home). My Grandad wanted to stay at home and we were able to get a Marie Curie nurse towards the end who stayed with him overnight to give the rest of us a chance.

Unfortunately you're right with respect to the poor odds. oesophageal cancer doesn't have a good survival rate. I believe it's because the patient is asymptomatic until the tumour is quite large. I understand it's quite fast growing too.

Fingers crossed for your Dad it's treatable if it is indeed oesophageal cancer.

But do get in touch with one of the cancer charities for information on what to expect. They'll be best placed to answer your questions.

[Tinsley]

Friend's Dad had it aged 58 ish. He was diagnosed about 18 months ago, maybe two years ago?! And is now clear of treatment. Eating was a huge issue and I too did the Googling and was like oh no 8% survival rate post 5 years or something But he is doing really well

[that_one]

Thankyou so much for your replies and the private messages, it's given me a lot to think about and some slight hope! His ct scan is tomorrow to find out how bad/good it all is so it is wait and see time.

[phonk7]

Hi, my Mum was diagnosed with Barret's oesophagus late last year, which is effectively a pre cursor to cellular changes that may or may not transform into cancer. Apparently its the fastest growing cancer in the western world. However, just because they have found a tumour does not mean it is malignant, it may just be a benign tumour caused due to a lesion in your Dads oesophagus.

If it is cancer although the survival rates are not great (varying, depending on circumstances, but around 10% 5 year survival rate and between 15-20% yearly survival rate) they are improving all the time, but, as someone said above, the low survival rates are largely due to it being caught late, because it is quite a asymptomatic cancer. If the cancer has not already spread from the oesophagus, the treatment they offer at the moment will give your Dad a good chance of survival.
Fingers crossed, i really hope your Dads cancer is treatable. Good luck.

[pinkangelgirl]

Hey OP

This is going to be the toughest time for you (depending how close you and your Dad are) and is going to test you- not just while its happening but for a very long time- especially if the outcome isnt what you hope for.

2 years ago my Mum passed away with cancer. It was all so sudden. Diagnosed and gone within 3-4 months. That was a 2years ago, and according to my counsellor Im still in the denial phase.

If you want to talk you can PM me.

Good luck, I really hope your Dad is ok.

[hippieglitter]

(Original post by that_one)
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any experiences with this type of cancer? My Dad is in the process of being diagnosed, they've found the tumour and we are waiting to find out if it has spread, but being a biology student I have done my research and the outcome isnt good for 90%+ of people.

I know it sounds horrible but I have kind of accepted fate, the worst possible fate too and it isnt even all confirmed yet (my boyfriend says its my denial coping mechanism..?)
Basically I think I was just wondering if many people had experienced this with family/friends as its not a common cancer and my family aren't exactly the talking/sharing type of family

My dad died about 12 months ago from oesophageal cancer, the success rate is not high at all, we were told it had been caught early only to be told that when they opened him up it was a lot further on than they'd thought. The operation was followed by endless complications. He was diagnosed in the August, went in at the end of November and should have been home by Christmas, he didn't leave hospital til April. I visited him in hospital every week. He couldn't eat, drink or speak for the majority of the time. He died quite unexpectedly in July, we all thought he was getting better. The only small comfort is that he died before he was gripped by liver cancer.

All my best wishes and I really hope your dad pulls through, stay positive. Feel free to PM me if you need support or someone to talk to.

[pinkangelgirl]

(Original post by hippieglitter)
My dad died about 12 months ago from oesophageal cancer, the success rate is not high at all, we were told it had been caught early only to be told that when they opened him up it was a lot further on than they'd thought. The operation was followed by endless complications. He went in at the end of November and should have been home by Christmas, he didn't leave hospital til April. I visited him in hospital every week. He couldn't eat, drink or speak for the majority of the time. He died quite unexpectedly in July, we all though he was getting better. The only small comfort is that he died before he was gripped by liver cancer.

All my best wishes and I really hope your dad pulls through, stay positive.

Hey, reading that made me rather sad.

When my Mum got diagnosed with womb cancer we were spun endless tales of ***** from the hospital- were even told she had 2-3 years left to live- then 2 weeks before she passed they finally decided to tell us somewhat the truth by telling us maximum 6 months.

OP, sorry not meaning to sound depressing, as with C everyone is totally different. Different C's have different stages and different grades and so on, and it really is an individual case.

An astounding amount of people survive, but it will be a battle for all of you

[Magnanimity]

My gran had oesophageal cancer. Had it cut out, no chemo, no radiotherapy and lived another 20 fantastic years before something completely unrelated took her. Not all doom and gloom there are some success stories