On January 25, 2012 my mom was diagnosed by the team at Freodert with
small cell cancer of the esophagus. 90% of small cell cancers occur in
the lungs. However, they can occur anywhere. I read somewhere that only
1-2.7% of esophageal cancers are small cell. Small cell cancer tend to
spread early. However, it also tends to respond well to radiation and
chemotherapy.
At this point we still don’t know if the cancer has spread beyond the esophageal area. We do know that there aren’t any large tumors elsewhere from the neck down. (An MRI will be performed soon so we can hopefully rule out the head area.) The PET and CAT scans indicate that there is a 5-7mm spot of concern in her right lung. This spot could contain cancerous cells, or it may be something unrelated. On Wednesday, February 1st, the surgeon will be removing that area and a biopsy will be performed to determine if it is cancerous. At the same time, the surgeon will be installing a port-a-cath under the skin on her chest. The port-a-cath will facilitate intravenous chemotherapy treatments and blood withdrawals.
The PET and CAT scans also show a small “hot spot” in the area between her neck and shoulder. This area is not of much concern because there isn’t anything in that area. The doctor said that it is “the space between Earth and Mars. There is nothing there!”
At this point we still don’t know if the cancer has spread beyond the esophageal area. We do know that there aren’t any large tumors elsewhere from the neck down. (An MRI will be performed soon so we can hopefully rule out the head area.) The PET and CAT scans indicate that there is a 5-7mm spot of concern in her right lung. This spot could contain cancerous cells, or it may be something unrelated. On Wednesday, February 1st, the surgeon will be removing that area and a biopsy will be performed to determine if it is cancerous. At the same time, the surgeon will be installing a port-a-cath under the skin on her chest. The port-a-cath will facilitate intravenous chemotherapy treatments and blood withdrawals.
The PET and CAT scans also show a small “hot spot” in the area between her neck and shoulder. This area is not of much concern because there isn’t anything in that area. The doctor said that it is “the space between Earth and Mars. There is nothing there!”
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