Links to Information:-

• Clinical Trials in the UK
  The National Cancer Research Network supports clinical trials for the NHS in the UK. Please click below for more information about oesophageal trials:-
  (Use the box on the site to specify your search)
  List of UK Trials for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers

• Diagnostic Tests for Cancer of the Oesophagus
  

  Squamous cell carcinoma (not often found in the UK)
  Research has produced a new diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer. It involves taking a swab from the oesophagus. A pilot study revealed an 85% accuracy rate.

  The advantages of the new test are that biopsy can be avoided, and the analysis of results can be automated. If the test still shows a high success rate in large scale trials, then routine screening could be available within 5 years!
  However, this test applies to squamous cell carcinoma of the oesphagus, but most people in western countries such as the UK are more likely to be diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Therefore it has limitations..

  The research was led by Prof Gareth Williams of the Wolfson Institute for biomedical research. University College London. He and his team have investigated a protein called Mcm5, which is one of a family of "minichromosome maintenance" proteins involved in uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer.
  Adenocarcinoma (more usual type of oesohageal cancer found in the UK)
  There is now a similar test being developed for adenocarcinoma by Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald, from the Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge This consists of a capsule on a string. It is retrieved after the patient has swallowed it. Hopefully this will lead the way to earlier diagnosis.

• Below is a useful link to other oesophageal information:-
  Link to the British Medical Journal’s Oesophageal Collection

Tips from patients

• Alka Seltzer can often cure those awful abdominal cramps.
• If you have had an oesophagectomy, you may find that you suffer from occasional hypoglycaemia (dizzy spells). These are caused by food rushing too quickly through your digestive system. Chew two Dextrose/Glucose ‘sweets’ (available at the well-known High Street chemists). These will shorten the attack and lessen the symptoms.
• Natural bio (live) yoghurt replaces the natural bacteria in your stomach (which you’ve lost during treatment) and helps with digestion and acid problems.
• Add ‘Build Up’ to Angel Delight or other whips.
• Don’t eat anything for about four hours before bedtime.
• Post Op: A snack can consist of as little as one banana. You don’t have to eat five meals a day - small snacks will suffice. Try to eat quite often - 'graze' throughout the day. As soon as you can, (and your doctor says you can!) extend your diet and try to eat 'solid' foods. You have to re-train your digestive system after an oesophagectomy. This is rather like feeding a baby - gradually getting used to different foods. Most find that they make great improvements in time. Some of us are almost 'normal' after a year or so. (Perhaps sooner- everyone varies in this- it may be two years.) You will probably never be able to eat large meals again, but can do justice to a meal out.

Soft Foods Only?

• 
  Popcorn is really easy to eat and swallow, but avoid the very sugary types as sugar promotes acid. You can make your own using a lidded pan, or there are now special microwave packs available in most supermarkets.
• Toast is easier to eat than bread, which tends to stick. However, some may find that French bread is easier than English.
• If you should find that some food is ‘stuck fast’ in your oesophagus, simply drink a small glass of any fizzy drink (e.g. lemonade or beer) as quickly as you can. This can be uncomfortable, but the resulting enormous burp will clear the blockage. (You need to be somewhere private to do this!) Also do practise this with caution and certainly don’t do it within eight weeks of surgery, and check with the hospital or your doctor first.
• After eating, sit up straight, use cushions if necessary, for an hour or so. If you are experiencing great difficulties it might help to stand up or walk slowly around the room. Try to relax when eating - use soft music or a small glass of wine. Never eat when you are agitated.
• Remember to chew, chew, chew. Much more so than most people. Use the built in food processor in your mouth! (teeth) This makes you a slow eater, but at least you will be able to eat more of what you like.
• Post oesophagectomy your eating ability gradually improves until you find you can eat many more things. Most people find that they can attain a near normal situation eventually. Keep trying foods that you couldn't eat previously.

Our Booklets:

We have booklets on problems after oesohpagectomy and acid management. These were written by members of the group. They are intended to reflect the patient experience rather than medical facts. The information is taken from the experiences of patients, and the booklets have been approved by a medical professional.

These are in Acrobat format and you can download them here:

After Oesophagectomy

Acid Management

You will need Adobe Reader to read these booklets. If you don't have it, you can download it free from here:-

(Click the button)

The (UK) Department of Health has produced a leaflet to help you when going to appointments. It lists the sort of questions you might want to ask and so on: Download it here: Questions to Ask

For this you will need Adobe Reader - see above.

We also have a website called 'Eating to .Win'

This contains recipes and tips received from oesophageal patients internationally, mainly from the USA.