Receiving an esophageal cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients. They are dealing with many appointments, deciding on treatment, dealing with the many symptoms of the disease, the needs of family members, and work obligations. Many patients are also worried about their future. They have many questions about their diagnosis and need time to process the information that has been given to them.
People can experience esophageal cancer and its treatment in different ways. They might be able to better manage the impact of the disease by learning as much as possible about the condition and the support services offered by the healthcare team.
Understanding the Diagnosis
For the majority of patients with an esophageal cancer diagnosis the first appointment with a specialist will be to describe the cancer (the tumor) and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. In some cases the specialist may require further tests to confirm the exact stage of the cancer before discussing the appropriate treatment with the patient.
There is lots of information given to patients at the time of diagnosis. It can all seem confusing. Patients are encouraged to bring a family member or friend with them to appointments, to take notes and keep a record of all the information given to them by their medical team. Patients can also ask questions about unfamiliar medical terms. It can all seem a bit too much but by writing it all down and asking questions about unfamiliar terms, patients can gain a better understanding of their diagnosis and the various treatment options available.
Learning About Treatment Options
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are all used to treat esophageal cancer. Each of these can be used individually or in combination, depending on the location and size of the primary tumor, the extent of cancer in local and regional lymph nodes, and the presence of distant metastases.
The doctor would be able to answer questions about reason for a certain treatment type, duration of treatment, side effects, mechanism of the treatment, potential benefits of a certain treatment, and symptoms to watch out for.
Patients considering esophageal cancer treatment should be aware of many things before deciding on a course of action.
In addition to the typical forms of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there are other approaches to treatment that are available. In some cases, alternative approaches to treatment may be considered by consulting with the healthcare providers.
Furthermore, as with any form of cancer treatment, there are many potential side effects associated with treatment for esophageal cancer. Discussing treatment options with the healthcare team in detail is crucial in determining the most appropriate course of action for a specific diagnosis.
Also, it is equally important to seek a second opinion as well as to inquire about the possibility of participating in a clinical trial to determine whether there are other alternative approaches of treatment that may be available.
Preparing for Physical Changes
A number of changes occur in the body as a result of the cancer itself and also as a result of the treatment. The majority of the symptoms occur in the mouth, throat and esophagus and can affect eating and drinking in some way. They can cause feelings of discomfort, nausea, pain and can affect amount of food that can be eaten.
Some of the symptoms of esophageal cancer will disappear during the treatment but new ones can occur. All the new or worsening symptoms need to be reported to the medical team. By keeping a symptom diary, it will be easier for the healthcare team to see if the symptoms are getting worse or better, and any changes in severity. The healthcare team would like patients to record the following: time of occurrence of each symptom, how severe each symptom is, activities the patient has been doing, and situations where the symptom gets better or worse.
Paying Attention to Nutrition
Patients with esophageal cancer can experience a decrease in their ability to eat and drink as a result of the cancer itself and/or treatment for the cancer. In some cases, patients may experience difficulty in swallowing food, referred to as dysphagia. In other cases, patients may experience feelings of nausea and/or a lack of appetite for food and liquids, and as a result, experience weight loss or depletion.
Nutrition during cancer treatment is as important as the actual cancer treatment and the cancer treatment team can refer the patient to a registered dietitian to provide them with the right advice on how to eat during their cancer treatment for optimal nutrition.
Some people may need additional amounts of nutrients. They may require nutritional support through a feeding tube. Patients may discuss nutritional support needs with their healthcare team.
The patient and their family need to remember that the dietary needs of the patient can change during their treatment of the cancer and afterwards. The patient would therefore benefit from having discussions with health care professionals who can provide them with information regarding their nutritional needs during their treatment for cancer and afterwards.
Managing Emotional Health
Even after treatment has finished, patients can still be affected by many emotions. As has already been stated, there are many ways that patients can be affected by a diagnosis of cancer, and many emotions that they can experience.
Cancer patients express their feelings in many ways. While some people may appear to be fine with their cancer diagnosis, others may openly express their feelings of fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, etc. Even if patients appear to be fine, they are dealing with their cancer diagnosis in many ways. Some may like to talk about their feelings with family and friends, while others may prefer to speak with a counselor, psychologist, social worker or even a spiritual adviser.
There are many cancer support groups available, which are made up of people who have been through a similar situation to the patient and are available to offer support and advice during and after treatment.
Mental health and wellbeing are as important as physical health during cancer treatment. Patients should not feel embarrassed to ask for support when they need it.
Building a Support System
Help with transport, shopping, cooking, household tasks, childcare and attending medical appointments for cancer patients during their cancer treatment will be especially valuable. It is also important to remember that everyone needs something different. Some people will need help with everyday things, but others will just need someone to sit with them from time to time.
Support for caregivers is also important. Often, the person with cancer needs the support of family and friends during treatment. Caregivers can be greatly affected by the stress and uncertainty of a person’s cancer treatment.
Understanding Recovery
The process of recovery from esophageal cancer is long and slow. Patients may need time to return to full strength, time to learn how to eat again, time to manage any ongoing symptoms and time to return to activities of daily living and to work and to travel.
Follow-up care is crucial for patients recovering from cancer treatment. They need time to regain their strength, to return to eating, managing any ongoing symptoms and getting back to activities such as work, traveling etc. Patients can ask their doctor when they might be able to return to their daily activities. Everyone recovers from cancer at different times and in different ways.
Staying Involved in Care
Many patients are more involved in their care than they are given credit for. Patients can keep a record of their medical information, attend all of their scheduled appointments, report any new symptoms, ask all of the questions that they have, and express any of their concerns.
Having a trusted person with them at appointments, who can write down or remind the patients of important information may be very helpful.
Even though esophageal cancer can affect every part of a person’s life and can be a very difficult journey through treatment, it does not have to affect every part of a person’s life all at once. By slowly learning about the diagnosis, treatment, the side effects of treatment, follow-up care, and recovery, patients may be able to manage the entire process.
As with any person with a cancer diagnosis, each person is unique. Thus, each individual will have to make decisions in their cancer care and treatment. This can be done with the help of their healthcare team. They can help to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and its side effects, as well as follow-up care and recovery.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, clinical guidelines, or a recommendation for any specific treatment.
