Hi, my dad has been diagnosed in July with cancer of the esophegus, liver and spleen,we have been told its inoperable. he cant eat and struggles with fluid. the docs have talked about fitting a stent but he has been in hosp for 5 days and not yet had this done. he is on morphine and is also having seizures. I know he has to go at sometime but I was hoping you could give me a time frame, I understand without knowing him you cant give me exactly how long but hopefully you can give me a guestimate. I do not live close to him and dont know if I should be by his side now or wait.Many thanks
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Cancer in the esophagus is a growth in the food pipe. It might involve the proximal third, middle third and distal third. The stage of cancer is demonstrated by the infiltration of the cancer to the adjacent soft tissue structures. If the cancer is spread to liver and spleen then it is stage 4 cancer and less likely to be operable. In such case the doctor might suggest inserting a bare metallic stent in to the lumen of esophagus to allow easy flow of solid and liquid food through the narrow area. This will not treat the cancer. Treatment of cancer is by providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink tumor. The liver and spleen metastasis might have to be treated by chemotherapy. The expected survival in this condition is up to 2 years. Some patients might survive more with good treatment response and care. Pain and discomfort is treated with pain relief. Please discuss with the doctor regarding any stent placement to let him take food and liquid by mouth. Please do not worry.