What is the best way to cure esophageal cancer?

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My father is suffering from esophageal cancer. The cancer has affected a nerve near his throat causing him to lose his voice. Also, it has already metastasized to two other organs.

He has been treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy for half a year, but his cancer shows no sign of shrinking and it's gradually growing.

His doctor says he cannot surgically remove the cancer because the cancer is adjacent to nerves and important organs and such an operation will damage the adjacent areas.

Isn't there any good way to cure his cancer?
As a rule, there is no cure for esophageal cancer. There is a surgical procedure that can be performed but if it has already metastasized to other organs it's probably already too advanced. Prognosis for this time of cancer is usually 5 yrs max.....but that's for strictly esophageal cancer. Depending on what other organs are involved, that time would likely be reduced.

Because it effects the esophageous, eating can become very difficult so it's important for him to take supplements like Ensure to keep his strength. Most people with esophageal cancer lose a lot of weight.  (+ info)

What is possibly the esophageal pain I feel from my throat down to my sternum?

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After just getting over the flu and having a cough, I have horrible, almost constant esophageal pain. It's a feeling as if I have swallowed a potato chip, and it's traveling down the tube. I'm only coughing up the normal amount of mucus as normal, as I smoke, but haven't much since this pain (maybe 2 at most a day). It also hurts to eat anything. What could this possibly be?
Laura P, welcome to the joys of acid reflux. Your flu may be the blame, but it may be a condition that will continue after the flu is gone.  (+ info)

What are the stages of advanced esophageal cancer?

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My grandpa has just been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer...I was wondering,what are the stages and explain what happens to the body and can they be cured or helped?
Btw,Idk what stage he has. The doctor does not know yet he only explained it was advanced.
My father was diagnosed at the beginning of January (this year, 2009) with Esophageal Cancer. He is stage 4-the last stage. They discovered his cancer when he could no longer swallow, and he had lost over 20 pounds. His cancer had already spread to the shoulders, hips, and liver when it was discoverd. He had been on reflux medicine for over 20 years, was not a drinker, and smoked for a couple years as a teenager. As of yesterday he has been given 3 weeks to live because the cancer is spreading so rapidly and has multiplied all over his liver, causing the liver not to function. He is still in the hospital as they are trying to get his heartrate back to normal (for an unknown reason it is really high, his heart is otherwise very strong). The oncologist said he will start sleeping more and more as the liver shuts down, and thats how he will go. Its a very aggressive cancer and unfortunately if its already in an advanced stage, prepare yourself for the worst. I never imagined that my dad would have such a short fight. He started his chemo 2/2/09 and now has 3 weeks left to live. I think it depends in your case if the cancer has already spread to other organs, if it hasn't then you have a much better chance at fighting it. I wish your family the best, I know too well what someone with esophageal cancer has to go through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  (+ info)

Why does a person with esophageal cancer have a feeding tube inserted into the duodenum instead of the stomach?

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A patient has esophageal cancer and must have a feeding tube inserted. The nurse tells the patient that the tube will be inserted surgically into the duodenum. The wife asks why the tube will not be inserted into the stomach. What should the nurse say?
Jared,
There are two main types of esophageal cancer. The most common type of oesophageal cancer, known as adenocarcinoma, develops in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the oesophagus, near the opening of the stomach. It occurs in just over 50 percent of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma grows in the cells that form the top layer of the lining of the oesophagus, known as squamous cells. This type of cancer can grow anywhere along the esophagus. Oesophageal cancer is cancer that develops in the oesophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. The oesophagus, located just behind the trachea, is about 10 to 13 inches in length and allows food to enter the stomach for digestion. The wall of the oesophagus is made up of several layers and cancers generally start from the inner layer and grow out. A flexible, narrow tube is inserted into some portion of the digestive tract and liquid formulas or liquefied foods are placed into the tube to meet the patient's nutritional needs. The feeding may be pumped into the tube or allowed to drip into the tube continuously or at scheduled feeding times. Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tubes (JEJ or PEJ tubes) are tubes that are put into a part of the small intestine called the jejunum. The jejunum is situated a little way after the stomach. The surgeon puts a tube through an opening in the abdomen and into the jejunum. PEJ tubes are put in using an endoscopy, like a PEG tube – (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). This type of tube is particularly used for people who have stomach or oesophageal surgery. If the tube goes directly into the small intestine, feeds are usually given slowly all the time. There is usually a pump that controls the speed of the feed passing into the tube, rather than a drip-feed. If the feeding tube is inserted into the stomach, there has to be a period of “rest” to allow the stomach respite from working. Also, it depends on the location of the cancer in the oesophagus, which may influence the location of the jejunostomy tube.


ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.

It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms.


The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.




Hope this helps
matador 89  (+ info)

Has anyone heard of Esophageal spasms?

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I have had these for many years and they are so painful! The symtoms are just like a heart attack.
I have gotten better with Effexor and Nexeum, but I still get them. Stress is a big factor. I can get them so bad that I feel like I can't take a normal breath. Like a vise. Sometimes I wonder if I have a heart problem because I have Lupus and Sjogrens Syndrome.
I used to get them many years ago. You're right they are painful and scary. I finally noticed that I got these spasms when my asthma was acting up...not necessarily DURING an asthma attack, but within a day or so of one. Once I got the asthma under control the spasms subsided. If you are asthmatic or have severe allergies, you might want to have that link explored.

Good luck.  (+ info)

What are the final stages of life with esophageal cancer?

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My father-in-law was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2006. After a 2-year fight and undergoing chemo and radiation treatments, we are afraid we have come to the end of the road. We have been told a number of things about how long he has, however, we have not been told what to espect when the end is near. Anyone have some insight into our preparation, or what we should expect?
My first piece of advice to you is spend as much time with him as possible. Tell him often that you are all there for him, and if he is uncomfortable talking about his condition, let it go. He needs to get it straight in his mind before he can talk about it. The best time to consider hospice care is when you can see that the doctors and hospitals really cannot do anything for him. As long as he is still aware and can make his own decisions, it is important for him to say it is time for hospice. You should also have him appoint someone as his health care proxy agent in case he is unable to make decisions. Someone who knows what he would want in certain situations. It is very hard to know "end of life" symptoms, except, they basically stop eating and drinking. They sleep all the time and are very hard to wake up. When they are awake, they are somewhat withdrawn, or they get a burst of sudden energy and talk a lot. And at the very end, the breathing gets quite irregular. I know this is a lot to think about, and it is nothing pleasant to think about. My heart truly goes out to you. I honestly feel your pain. Your father-in-law, you and your whole family will be in my prayers. Try to stay strong, but do cry when you need to. God Bless.  (+ info)

How to diffuse hair with a diffuser attachment?

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How do you diffuse hair to make it curly? What is a good brand of mousse?
hi there


I think it may be helful to know what diffuse mean ,and I belive that may be helpful in understanding  (+ info)

What is diffuse erythema plus and diffuse gastritis?

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I have an endoscopy result with following results
diffuse erythema+ and final impression says diffuse gastritis.
Can anybody explain what does they mean?
Diffuse means scattered and erythema is redness. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. You have redness and inflammation in your stomach, spread around rather than in just one place. With this result your doctor should be able to prescribe medicine to help.  (+ info)

What is Mild diffuse spondylitic changes of the Thoracic Spine?

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I recently had spinal x-rays taken, and was wondering what the report means.
Is the diffuse spondylitic changes permanent, are they fixable with conservative treatment, or even with surgery?
The results mean that there is mild inflammation in your vertebrae at various places throughout the chest region of your spine. Spondylitic changes at first appear as swelling, and it is entirely reversible at early stages if it is not caused by rheumatoid arthritis. If the problems persist for years, inflammation eventually causes calcium deposits (bone spurs) to form between the vertebrae and this generally requires surgery. When its caused by rheumatoid arthritis, the problem is more difficult to control.

Stretching exercises and antiinflammatory drugs might be all you need at this point. Ask the doc to write up an order for a few visits with a physical therapist to teach you exercises to stop this problem from progressing.  (+ info)

What could a constant spasm in the lower abdominal area (to the right of the belly button) mean?

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All day today I have had an off and on spasm in my lower abdomen to the right of my belly button. I would describe it as a "fluttering" feeling but it is always constant in one spot. It is in NO way painful it's just annoying (for lack of a better word). Anyone have any idea what this could be caused by? It stops off and on then comes back again.
This could be constipation and the feeling is your bowel trying to push a section of hard stool down through your colon. If you often pass hard, dry stool, you can go to WebMd.com and type in constipation and read up on the dietary recommendations and increased water intake which will take care of this.  (+ info)

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