Esophagus 

 May 20, 2008 6:26 AM  

There are an extensive number of pages about esophagus cancer on this web site.    Those are found  listed on this Table of esophagus contents.

Biopsy Report -- September 28, 2004 -- Jean Ross	02/03/2005	This report shows that three separate biopsies were taken, shows no trace of cancer, but makes the comment that one of the biopsy samples was too fragmented to be definitive. Possibly a second endoscopy ultrasound will now be required, to take more biopsies. Biopsies are dangerous when there is a possibility of cancer existing. Biopsies would not be dangerous in any way if you "know" that there is no cancer remaining.
Cancer Mass, Dead, Must "Leave!" Where Does It Go? What Is The Process?	02/03/2005	Bonnie's cancer was huge by the time it was detected. "Huge" means 7 cm by 2 cm in size. That is about one inch by about 3 inches -- a lot of mass. The Oncology doctor said that an "excellent response" from the chemo and radiation would be a "50% shrinkage of mass."
CANCER TREATMENT STRATEGIES AT IEP	02/03/2005	In most instances, standard medical therapies for cancer are administered as soon as possible, are aggressive, and have adverse effects. These modern medical procedures, which have the quality of emergency care, are taken because of the great difficulty involved in controlling cancer. Their ultimate aim, in some cases, is eliminating the cancer, but when this is unlikely, they may be utilized to provide increased survival duration and reduced symptoms (e.g., relief from the obstruction caused by a tumor mass).
Cancers Treated: Esophagus	02/03/2005	Cancer of the esophagus can start in any part of that organ; commonly it occurs at the lower end, near the entrance to the stomach. The contributing causes are regurgitation of acid from the stomach, cigarette smoking and alcohol. Repeated indigestion, upper abdominal pain, regurgitation of recently eaten food can be symptoms of cancer of the esophagus. Since the survival of this disease needs to be improved, more thorough investigation of chronic symptoms must be pursued.
Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting	02/03/2005	Nausea and vomiting is a major problem in cancer therapy that can lead to some patients refusing further, potentially curative treatment Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting result from a complex interaction between various neurotransmitters and receptors in the CNS and gastrointestinal tract. There are three types of emesis resulting from chemotherapy and radiotherapy; acute, delayed and anticipatory. Each has a different aetiology, and should be treated differently. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are the most effective treatment for acute emesis resulting from cancer chemotherapy. A wider range of agents, including anti-histamines and dopamine antagonists is effective against nausea and vomiting resulting from radiotherapy. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are less effective against delayed emesis resulting from treatment with agents such as cisplatin.
Circopharyngeal Sphincter	02/03/2005
Close And Very Personal	12/08/2004
Close And Very Personal	12/08/2004
Denial Of Service Re:  Bonnie J. Troescher	02/03/2005	This is a letter I sent to the insurance companies about their "denial of service" for various treatments. It could well serve as a model for your situation -- since health insurance companies ALL have the same problem -- they have to work within a fixed amount of income, responding to claims and requests that will ALWAYS be higher than the income -- whether they admit it or not, all health insurance companies must find some way of rationing care. The most obvious methods are simple "denial of service" actions -- this letter explains how that applied in Bonnie's case.
Detailed Guide: Esophagus Cancer How Is Esophagus Cancer Staged?	02/03/2005	Stage III: Cancers in this stage have either spread to the adventitia and to lymph nodes near the esophagus or they have spread beyond the adventitia into nearby organs, such as the trachea (windpipe), and may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes. The cancer has not spread to lymph nodes farther away from the esophagus (such as nodes in the neck or nodes in the lower abdomen). It has not spread through the bloodstream to organs farther away from the esophagus (such as the liver, bones, or brain).
Difficulty Swallowing	02/03/2005	Most cases will require a "scope" test of the upper digestive system. Also known as a gastroscopy or EGD exam, this simple test is quickly and painlessly performed using a mild sedative. A thin, flexible, sterilized tube is passed through the mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach. A tiny color video camera within this instrument allows the doctor to directly examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. When necessary, photographs and biopsies can be obtained for later review. Occasionally, barium x-rays may be requested to view the esophagus while swallowing.
Downstaging, Neoadjuvant Therapy Improve Outcomes	02/03/2005	Cancer of the esophagus has often spread into the wall of the esophagus or into adjacent lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed. "We typically see patients with mid to late stage cancers with cure rates of about 20%," explained Barbara Burtness, M.D., Yale medical oncologist. Burtness and Yale’s esophageal cancer team are focusing clinical trials to downstage esophageal cancers through neoadjuvent, or preoperative, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. "If we can shrink the tumor and reduce the likelihood of positive lymph nodes and involvement at the surgical margins, we can improve survival rates," she said.
Esophageal Cancer - Esophagectomy	02/03/2005	Surgical resection (removal) of the esophagus is indicated in several types of esophageal abnormalities, as well as for esophageal cancer. Your surgeon will choose one of several approaches for the removal of your esophagus and will describe the specific approach to be used for you.
Final Battle In The Victory Over Cancer	02/03/2005	Cancer of the esophagus has a very high fatality rate -- the statistics show that 100% of the people who are diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus die from cancer of the esophagus -- about 80 percent of them die within two years. Jean was given two different survival estimates -- one was "less than 20%" and the other was "less than 5%."
Fluorouracil (5FU)	02/03/2005	Fluorouracil (5FU) is chemotherapy that is given as a treatment for some types of cancer including bowel, breast, stomach, and gullet cancer. This section describes fluorouracil, how it is given and some of its possible side effects. It should ideally be read with CancerBACUP's information on chemotherapy, which gives more information and advice.
Germanium -- The Premier Remedy	12/08/2004
Germanium -- The Premier Remedy	12/08/2004
Germanium Sesquioxide: Safer Than Table Salt	02/03/2005	A report issued in 1987 by Okuda, et al, further compounded the misunderstanding. Two cases of renal toxicity were attributed to germanium sesquioxide35. The discussion section of this publication suggested possible product contamination but still attributed the toxicity to germanium sesquioxide. However, the presence of GeO2 contamination in the Okuda, et al, study was proven conclusively in a paper published the following year by Matsusaka, et al.36. Two years later, Okuda revised his position on germanium sesquioxide by demonstrating the inherent safety of chronic high doses of germanium sesquioxide (240 mg/kg/day) and the toxic effects of GeO2 at 150 g/kg/day 37.
Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder: a leading cause of allergies & chronic illness	02/03/2005	In this update to my article on the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Disorder Syndrome, (1) I will emphasize two new, related matters. One is a common, but serious additional stomach/esophagus anomaly that may actually be causing some of the problems attributed to the hernia itself. The second matter is a possible causative factor to this whole syndrome that is relatively unknown--the Esophageal Longitudinal Muscle Contraction!
J Tube Feeding	02/03/2005	A PEJ tube can be placed endoscopically by a gastroenterologist and is often an outpatient procedure. The procedure is performed by placing a tube down the patient’s esophagus, through the stomach, and into the first portion of the jejunum. When the doctor finds a good location, a light is shined through the skin and the incision is made. The tube is inserted and a hard bolus is placed on the inside of the intestines to keep the tube from coming out.
Jean Ross Surgery To Remove The Esophagus	02/03/2005	Not here. The esophagus is not a very thick tube -- and if the scar tissue is an integral part of the esophagus, it would be virtually impossible to use a knife to cut away the scar tissue ONLY, and not damage the esophagus. That's why surgeons are so negative on using surgery to solve cancer of the esophagus -- they can't cut away some part of the area (cancerous) without damaging healthy parts of the area.
Jean's Esophagus -- The Endoscopy Ultrasound -- September 28, 2004	02/03/2005	Actual photo images taken of Jean's esophagus taken with the TV camera during endoscopy.
Jump in esophageal and stomach cancers prompts study	02/03/2005	"The most effective treatment appears to be combining radiation and chemotherapy before surgery, rather than surgery alone," she said. "In our recent trial, surgery was followed with a taxol-based regimen that the patient was not ‘resistant’ to." While the median survival has not been reached, 62% of patients were alive at two years. The results are better than previously reported for stage II through IVa cancers treated with surgery alone or with chemoradiation followed by surgery. "Improved survival appears to be tied to the post-surgical chemotherapy fighting cancer that is "lower stage" with fewer positive lymph nodes," Burtness said.
Karl Loren's Journey Of Learning and Changing	02/03/2005	My life had taken a very adventurous path to my 71st birthday, a couple years ago, but it looked to me that I had finally arrived at thos "Golden Years" of comfortable retirement. It was not to be!
Karl Loren's Protocol	02/03/2005	The following letter was actually written when dated, and delivered to Dr. Benowitcz. It later became the basis for his recommendation for coverage with the Insurance company. As of today, July 24, 2004, we are awaiting approval from the insurance company -- probably for a PET scan first, then the consultation at UCLA. I'll keep this page updated. Karl Loren
LARYNGECTOMY FAQ'S	02/03/2005	You have a round organ such as the esophagus.  Around this circular organ you have scar tissue.  The most basic thing that scar tissue does is to CONTRACT.  When you have contracture around a circular organ you get narrowing or stricture.  Now, let's look at what happens when you dilate something.  What you do is forcibly break up the scar causing a new wound.  This results in guess what?  That's right, more scar tissue.  And what is scar going to do?  CONTRACT!!  Therefore you have set up a viciously cycle of scar, contracture, more scar, and more contracture. Hence, no improvement.  It is my feeling that to truly improve the situation, you have to bring in new tissue that is not affected by this cycle.
Letter To Radiation and Oncology Doctors	02/03/2005	When Bonnie started this process of cancer treatment we had the advice of our long-time family physician that many doctors prefer to NOT have letters from patients – being so busy, usually, and also in no small part because letters may be used as “matters of record” used in lawsuits. I am very aware of the terrible damage done to health care by tort lawyers and would like to eliminate that concern from our relationship. Both Bonnie and I renounce any right to sue any of the medical personnel connected in any way with Bonnie’s treatments over these past few months.  I would be quite willing to sign a more formal statement to this effect – and urge you to allow me to do that – just to remove that concern, no matter how tiny it may be.
Lies:  Good and Bad!	02/03/2005	You have to work within an immoral system, and that doesn't make it very easy to "Seek to live with the truth!" which is one of the moral principles I try to live by.
Mary S. Maish, M.D., M.P.H.	02/03/2005
Medical Report And Questions on Surgery	02/03/2005	I expect that any optimistic report, including a report of “no cancer found” would be discounted by most doctors based on statistics and experience with other esophageal cancer patients.  On the other hand we believe that a very optimistic outlook is warranted because of the various alternative remedies we have been using throughout this time period.  I am not surprised at the PET scan and the EUS to report “no cancer,” but I am also not surprised at the lack of surprise by traditional doctors – they typically discount any such optimistic report and “know” that cancer is there – waiting to be found.  I do not seek any validation of any of these alternative remedies, but am quite ready to describe any or all of them in whatever detail is asked.  They have been described and published in hundreds of pages amongst my many web pages about Bonnie’s cancer and treatment.
Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory	02/03/2005
Spasm In The Esophagus	02/03/2005	This article, then, is pointing out that if the esophagus, itself, is dilated (larger than normal) there may be a problem with the sphincter muscle, even though the endoscope can pass through that opening into the stomach.
Spontaneous Remission	02/03/2005
The Fateful "Swallowing Test"	02/03/2005	So, as she was feeling better, otherwise, we left the Hospice Program in order to get back into the regular insurance system where further tests and treatment could be done. These would NOT be treatments to cure the cancer, but "palliative treatments" to reduce the discomfort that was apparently NOT caused by the cancer, but WAS apparently caused by the chemo and radiation. So, the first service was described to us by the primary care physician as the "swallowing test."
The Macrophage -- Eats Dead Cancer	02/03/2005	A macrophage ingests bacteria as part of the immune response to infection. Inside this white blood cell, bacterial proteins are degraded into peptides and presented as antigens by specialized molecules on the cell's surface.
Treatment for Esophagus Cancer	02/03/2005	There is a lot for you to think about when choosing the best way to treat or manage your cancer. There may be more than one treatment to choose from. You may feel that you need to make a decision quickly. But give yourself time to absorb the information you have learned. Talk to your doctor. Look at the list of questions at the end of this piece to get some ideas. Then add your own.
UCLA Medical Opinion -- September 7 2004	02/03/2005	Identification: Ms. Troescher is a very pleasant 67-year-old Caucasian woman accompanied today by her husband with the primary complaint of dysphagia believed secondary to adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction.
Upper GI Series (Barium Swallow Test)	02/03/2005	An upper GI (gastrointestinal) series, or barium swallow, is a radiology test which is used to visualize the structures of the upper digestive system (the esophagus, stomach and duodenum). These structures are seen during the examination and the images are also saved for further review on x-ray film. The results of an upper GI series can reveal conditions such as ulcers, tumors, hiatal hernias, scarring, blockages, and abnormalities of the muscular wall of the gastrointestinal tissues.
What are some investigational therapies for Barrett's esophagus?	02/03/2005	At the present time, ablation therapies (therapies that destroy the Barrett's lining) remain the most widely available investigational (experimental) therapies in the treatment of Barrett's high-grade dysplasia and early cancer, although other investigational therapies are being developed. There are three main types of ablation therapy used today in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus. These therapies are photodynamic therapy, thermal ablation and endoscopic mucosal resection.
What is dysplasia?	02/03/2005	If histologic analyses of biopsies obtained from the esophagus are interpreted or read by the pathologist as Barrett's esophagus (specialized intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus), the pathologist then looks for changes in the Barrett's tissue referred to collectively as dysplasia.
What Is Laparoscopy?	02/03/2005	Laparoscopy (pronounced "lap-a-ROSS-coe-pee") is a surgical procedure performed through very small incisions in the abdomen, using specialized instruments. A pencil-thin instrument called a laparoscope is used, and it gives the surgeon an exceptionally clear view, on a TV monitor, of the inside of the abdominal cavity.
Zyvox -- Drug Prescription With Hidden Revelation	02/03/2005	FDA today approved Zyvox (linezolid), the first antibacterial drug in a new class to treat infections associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF), including cases with bloodstream infection. Zyvox also received approval for treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia and complicated skin and skin structure infections, including cases due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, approval was granted for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. The following may be used to respond to questions.

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