Question 1

if ascites is severe enough to make lying in bed extremely uncomfortable should we go to the emergency room? diagnosed with esophageal cancer that has spread to the abdomen.  ascites causing extreme discomfort.  he took his pain meds and still cannot lay

Accepted Answer

When : When ascites causes abdominal discomfort or pain it is generally accepted that enough fluid  fluid should be removed from the abdomen for comfort.

More importantly, evaluation of the abdomen to ensure that there has not been a colon or esophageal rupture is vitally important.  Evaluation for infection causing the accumulation of fluid is also part of the evaluation.  The sooner the patient is diagnosed with a potential infection or rupture, the sooner treatment can begin.

Extreme discomfort to the point of not being able to lye down would be considered a medical emergency and urgent evaluation should occur.  If you are unsure, someone should be on call for your oncologist.  Calling them in these type of situations can be very helpful as they can direct you specifically where to go and coordinate your care.

Question 2

late stage esophageal cancer, has mestastasized across lympth nodes, & into stage 4 liver, getting chemo now, how long can the person hopefully live?

Accepted Answer

Guarded prognosis: Chemo_radiation is usual treatment for stage 4 disease for palliation few do respond, most important to make as comfortable  as possible, pain management,  endo esophageal stents  help to swallow  prevent aspiration pnumonia,  and hospice care.

Question 3

my mom 79 has esophageal cancer with mets to liver. so far no symptoms, discomforts, normal life. how long she may have with or w/o treatment? thanks.

Accepted Answer

It depends: Many factors may determine how long someone with metastatic cancer may live. Underlying health, how fast the tumor(s) are growing, and where they are may help determine survival. In general, survival with metastatic esophageal cancer is anywhere from about 6-18 months, sonetimes much less if the cancer is extensive and growing rapidly.

Question 4

6 mo ago barrett's esophagus egd.have pain in center abdomen.&ruq.could esophageal cancer been missed? 31 y/ohida nml, abdom u/s nml, cbc,cmp,egd nml

Accepted Answer

It can: Barrett need to be biopsies to rule out any dysphasia and to make sure there is no pre cancer changes so if you did have Bx then it is hard to miss. Your pain most likely secondary to esophageal spasm that will cause severe chest pain and abdominal pain . Take anti reflux medicine religiously avoid the bad food and ask for surgical referral to treat reflux

Question 5

to which lymph nodes can esophageal cancer spread?

Accepted Answer

Esophagus cancer: Para-esophageal or peri gastric lymph nodes, celiac ln, para tracheal or supraclavicular ln.

Question 6

can i have another surgery if my esophageal cancer has come back and spread?

Accepted Answer

NO: Surgery is used as primary treatment only.  Recurrent cancer is treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Question 7

can  esophageal cancer spread to supraclavicular lymph nodes without causing any symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Sadly yes: Esophagus is a muscular tube that can stretch, so often no symptoms until it can't . Also has no outer membrane surrounding it so easier to spread outside the organ itself.

Question 8

dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, it's been a month since his symptoms started & his biopsy, he can only drink liquids. how quickly will the tumor spread? days? weeks? months?

Accepted Answer

Months: Depends on the extent of the tumor and how advanced.  Also will depend on the type of treatment.

Question 9

squamous cell carcinoma esophageal cancer prsently spreaded in wind pipe 25mm distance of heart the tumer growth is 11cm is now any chnces of cure.?

Accepted Answer

Always: There's always a chance.  Discuss these issues with your doctor.

Question 10

so back pain that is caused by lung, throat, or esophageal cancer is from where it already has spread would i have additional symptoms not just upper back pain alone?

Accepted Answer

Back pain: If a tumor is the cause of your back pain, the tumor can spread into areas of the spinal chord or root. This would cause other neurological symptoms such as weakness , numbness or tingling.

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Doctor answers about:

Esophageal cancer spread to liver

A member asked:

If ascites is severe enough to make lying in bed extremely uncomfortable should we go to the emergency room? diagnosed with esophageal cancer that has spread to the abdomen. ascites causing extreme discomfort. he took his pain meds and still cannot lay

A member asked:

Late stage esophageal cancer, has mestastasized across lympth nodes, & into stage 4 liver, getting chemo now, how long can the person hopefully live?

A member asked:

My mom 79 has esophageal cancer with mets to liver. so far no symptoms, discomforts, normal life. how long she may have with or w/o treatment? thanks.

A member asked:

6 mo ago barrett's esophagus egd.have pain in center abdomen.&ruq.could esophageal cancer been missed? 31 y/ohida nml, abdom u/s nml, cbc,cmp,egd nml

A member asked:

To which lymph nodes can esophageal cancer spread?

A member asked:

Can i have another surgery if my esophageal cancer has come back and spread?

A member asked:

Can esophageal cancer spread to supraclavicular lymph nodes without causing any symptoms?

A member asked:

Dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, it's been a month since his symptoms started & his biopsy, he can only drink liquids. how quickly will the tumor spread? days? weeks? months?

A member asked:

Squamous cell carcinoma esophageal cancer prsently spreaded in wind pipe 25mm distance of heart the tumer growth is 11cm is now any chnces of cure.?

A member asked:

So back pain that is caused by lung, throat, or esophageal cancer is from where it already has spread would i have additional symptoms not just upper back pain alone?

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