my mother aged 66yrs has cancer of the food pipe can this be cured. she has been a heavy smoker and beer drinker for forty yrs+. the cancer cannot be operated on because to close to the aortar. dr have suggested high doses of radation and chem. will this help or just give her more time? is the cure as bad as the cancer in terms of side effects?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Cancer in the esophagus might affect the upper, mid or lower thirds. If the cancer in your mother is close to the aorta then it is in the middle and lower thirds. The aorta is a great vessel and if the cancer is infiltrating in to it then the chances of a successful surgery are limited. Therefore, the treatment in such a case is chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is a type of energy used to destroy the cancer cells and reduce the tumor in the lumen of esophagus. This works in many patients and in some people a metallic stent might also be inserted in the esophageal lumen to help in passage of food. A proper staging of the cancer is required to know the extent of disease. If surgery is not possible then most likely this is going to be a palliative treatment approach and will give her more time. Please discuss in detail with available reports as cancer is a serious disease and requires accurate analysis. Please do not worry.