https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-treatment/Seeking-Advice-for-Advanced-Esophageal-Cancer/m-p/42592#M1552 <P>Hello everyone,</P><P>I’m looking for advice and insights about a case of advanced esophageal cancer. We’re trying to understand what can be done at this stage and what the likely outcomes might look like.</P><P><STRONG>Patient Details:</STRONG></P><UL><LI><STRONG>Diagnosis:</STRONG> Moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus, HER2-positive (confirmed via FISH report), diagnosed in early 2024.</LI><LI><STRONG>Treatment History:</STRONG><UL><LI><STRONG>First-line therapy:</STRONG> 10 cycles of FOLFOX5 + Pembrolizumab (stopped due to progression).</LI><LI><STRONG>Second-line therapy:</STRONG> 10 cycles of Taxol + Pembrolizumab (initially showed mixed results).</LI></UL></LI><LI><STRONG>Current Status:</STRONG> The latest PET/CT scan (January 2025) shows significant progression of the esophageal tumor, mediastinal lymph nodes, and metastases to the liver and lungs.</LI><LI><STRONG>Planned Next Step:</STRONG> The doctors are considering Irinotecan as the next line of treatment.</LI></UL><P>The patient has a history of cardiac issues (two heart attacks, open-heart surgery, and a stent)</P><P><STRONG>Questions:</STRONG></P><OL><LI>What are the realistic treatment options at this stage, especially given the recent progression and the patient’s cardiac history?</LI><LI>How bad does the current situation look in terms of prognosis and quality of life?</LI><LI>Are there additional steps we can take to manage symptoms, slow progression, or improve comfort?</LI></OL><P>I can share the latest PET/CT scan report if it helps provide more clarity.</P> Sun, 05 Jan 2025 06:31:49 GMT micki8899 2025-01-05T06:31:49Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-treatment/Seeking-Advice-for-Advanced-Esophageal-Cancer/m-p/42592#M1552 <P>Hello everyone,</P><P>I’m looking for advice and insights about a case of advanced esophageal cancer. We’re trying to understand what can be done at this stage and what the likely outcomes might look like.</P><P><STRONG>Patient Details:</STRONG></P><UL><LI><STRONG>Diagnosis:</STRONG> Moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus, HER2-positive (confirmed via FISH report), diagnosed in early 2024.</LI><LI><STRONG>Treatment History:</STRONG><UL><LI><STRONG>First-line therapy:</STRONG> 10 cycles of FOLFOX5 + Pembrolizumab (stopped due to progression).</LI><LI><STRONG>Second-line therapy:</STRONG> 10 cycles of Taxol + Pembrolizumab (initially showed mixed results).</LI></UL></LI><LI><STRONG>Current Status:</STRONG> The latest PET/CT scan (January 2025) shows significant progression of the esophageal tumor, mediastinal lymph nodes, and metastases to the liver and lungs.</LI><LI><STRONG>Planned Next Step:</STRONG> The doctors are considering Irinotecan as the next line of treatment.</LI></UL><P>The patient has a history of cardiac issues (two heart attacks, open-heart surgery, and a stent)</P><P><STRONG>Questions:</STRONG></P><OL><LI>What are the realistic treatment options at this stage, especially given the recent progression and the patient’s cardiac history?</LI><LI>How bad does the current situation look in terms of prognosis and quality of life?</LI><LI>Are there additional steps we can take to manage symptoms, slow progression, or improve comfort?</LI></OL><P>I can share the latest PET/CT scan report if it helps provide more clarity.</P> Sun, 05 Jan 2025 06:31:49 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-treatment/Seeking-Advice-for-Advanced-Esophageal-Cancer/m-p/42592#M1552 micki8899 2025-01-05T06:31:49Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-treatment/Seeking-Advice-for-Advanced-Esophageal-Cancer/m-p/42595#M1553 <P>Hello Micki8899,</P> <P>Thanks for joining Cancer Council online community and for reaching out.</P> <P>Our community provides a safe space for those affected by cancer, get together to provide and receive support from each other.</P> <P>You are seeking some specific medical information, and unfortunately we do not have a medical team that could help give you the information you are after.</P> <P>Hopefully one of our members has gone through a similar experience that&nbsp; would like to share&nbsp; with you.</P> <P>Below is a link that provides some information about Oesophageal cancer, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. I hope you find it helpful.</P> <P><A href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/oesophageal-cancer" target="_blank">https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/oesophageal-cancer</A></P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Best wishes</P> <P><EM><STRONG>Susana</STRONG></EM></P> <P><EM><STRONG>Cancer Council</STRONG></EM></P> <P><EM><STRONG>Online Community</STRONG></EM></P> Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:53:30 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-treatment/Seeking-Advice-for-Advanced-Esophageal-Cancer/m-p/42595#M1553 Susana_CCNSW 2025-01-06T00:53:30Z