Feeding Tube \ Lymph Node Biopsy

Dad went in to have a feeding tube put into his small intestine today. The tumor in his esophagus is preventing him from being able to eat anything tangible so they needed a way to pump him up with calories and strength prior to any sort of treatment.

While they were putting the feeding tube in they also took a sample of his lymph nodes from beneath the stomach which was an area that presented some concern after they analyzed the PET Scan results. Should hopefully have the results of the Biopsy and be out of the hospital in a few days.

PET Scan Results

Met with the Oncologist today, besides the tumor in his gastroesophageal junction (GE junction) they inform Dad that there are some lymph nodes beneath his stomach that appeared larger than they should be on the PET Scan. They will need to do another biopsy of this area to determine if the cancer has metastasized. The results of this 2nd biopsy will determine how and if the doctors can \ will treat the cancer.

We were sent to see another Dr. who is going to put a feeding tube into Dad's lower intestine. The tumor has prevented him from eating and he has lost ~30 lbs since Christmas. While the Dr. is putting the feeding tube in, he will perform a biopsy in the area of the enlarged lymph nodes.

PET Scan

Today is Dad's 63rd Birthday and he spent it getting a PET Scan done... The results will help the Doctors determine how to best treat the cancer.

Biopsy Follow-up

Doctors tell Dad that the tumor is larger than they thought. They will not be able to simply cut it out and re-attach his esophagus to his stomach (Esophagogastrectomy). Initial suggestion is for Chemo \ Radiation in an attempt to shrink the tumor enough so that they will then be able to remove it.

Esophageal Biopsy Results

Dad met with the oncologist today to find out the results of the biopsy that they took during the upper endoscopy he had last week. The test came back positive for carcinoma. They now need to find out how large the tumor is and where and if it has spread.

Upper Endoscopy

Dad has been having trouble eating since Christmas day 2009. He visited his Dr. a few weeks ago and was initially diagnosed with severe acid reflux and was prescribed Prevacid. After taking the medication for over a week with no relief they schedule an upper endoscopy. During the procedure today they take a biopsy of the area to test for carcinoma.