Care and mobility considerations
Advanced oesophageal cancer and recurrent oesophageal cancer
This group which includes 60-70% of those with oesophageal cancer have an average survival despite chemotherapy treatment of less than one year. Symptoms of disease may include many of the following:
- difficulty swallowing – ‘dysphagia’
- regurgitation of food or vomiting of food
- acid indigestion
- pain in the back or chest or on swallowing – ‘odynophagia’
- hoarseness or coughing
- weight loss
Over time they are likely to lose a huge amount of weight becoming very frail, they may be unable to walk more than a few steps or cope with shopping and cleaning. In the terminal phase they are likely to require help with all aspects of personal care. Between 30% and 60% will respond to chemotherapy in that their symptoms will be less troublesome for some weeks or months. Many will go on to have further treatments such as stenting to maintain swallowing. Weight loss and fatigue are likely to be significant problems even when swallowing can be maintained. Any of the symptoms of metastatic disease may also be present e.g. bone pain from bony metastases and liver metastases causing jaundice and increased fatigue.
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Amended November 2008
