hello everyone, im new here and really think this site is so full of great people and offers so much insight to so many health issues.

my mom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. initially it was said to be a hernia hiatal something or other. she has refused treat ment for the cancer as she is 71 and wont out her through that.

she had a scope placed in her esophagus and told it was cancer. they said they biopsied it and came back possitive. since then shes had a chest x ray and all is clear,(what happened to the hernia?) my ? is can a hernia be mistaken for esophageal cancer?? im skeptical because that type of cancer without treatment takes a life pretty rapidly, shes had it for 2 years now. she has no pain but just cant swallow so a tube was put in her stomach and she is fed through the tube. she is fed ensure 4 times daily.

i asked for another scope and biopsy to be done but its like asking for an impossibility. why cant she have another one done?

i just think maybe they might have been mistaken and could be a simple hernia. can this happen? im so confused.

if anyone can help me id so much appreciate it. my mom is all i hsave next tomy children and i dont want toloose her. my dad died last year of bile duct cancer and the doctors gave him a whipples operation at 75 years of age. we later learned he was tooold for this type of operation but i trusted the doctor so he had it and died in the proccess.

please can anyone help me ?

much love and respect... Danielle

I have found a hospital in Mexico. The name of the hospital is the International Bio Care Hospital and Medical Center. This is called the Alivizatos Treatment. At the present time the treatment is being utilized principally for the treatment of cancer. Have you or any one heard about this program.

Hi. Unfortunately I lost my Dad 18 months ago to this. It first appeared as a lump on the shoulder. They thought is was a "skin cancer thing" or even a cyst. Once biopsied, the tests came back poitive (Dad was in excellent health, age 83). He choose teatment.

The original plan was for 6 weeks of radiation; 5 days a week. He was able to drive himself for 2 weeks of these, 45 miles each way, no problem. Week 3, the Doctors added a round of chemothrapy (scheduld for every Wednesday). At that point Dad went down hill so very fast. He was able to have only 3 chemotherapy treatments. Dad stopped all treatment, and we aranged for hospice care, (He was down to 110 lbs.) and tried to make what was left of his life, bearable.

Dad was told the bleak prognosis from the start. I did not vocalize my thoughts; but had it been me; I don't think I would have chosen treatmet.

His original prognisis was : From the date of diagnosis -- NO TREATMENT -- 6 months fair health, 2 months very poor health, 1 month hopitalized care, then Death. (9 months total)
He ended up with: From the date of diagnosis -- With TREATMENT -- 2 months fair health; 2 months bed ridden, memory loss, vision loss, more weight loss, constant nausa, halucinations, incontinance, home nurses ; 3 weeks at hospice, unconscious, Death. (Not quite 5 months.)

We were told that even for a "young man, vital, and in excelent health", the prognosis with treatment, is only 27%, for 3 years of life. For most, the treatment is too much to even complete. Dad would have had a more comfortable and probably longer life, with no treatment. He could have had more energy for family, friends, etc. As I said it was his decision. Hospice at least helped keep him pain free.

I am sorry this isn't a brighter reply. I wish you all the best. Make the most of your time together!!! TJD