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Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Non-operable esophageal cancer
A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with stage II esophageal cancer (contained) according to the physician. However, he was told today it was also found in a lymph node under his collar bone, making his esophageal tumor inoperable. Why can’t they take out the lymph node and the tumor? Why does the lymph node now make the esophageal tumor inoperable?
If the tumor is high in the esophagus, then the lymph node found under the collar bone is considered to be locoregional spread; your friend could be eligible for surgery but after chemoradiation therapy.
There are isolated cases with this scenario who can have surgery not initially, but after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Malek Safa, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati