How to treat esophageal cancer in an 80-year-old man

The treatment of esophageal cancer in the octogenarians requires a personalized plan based on the stage of the disease, physical condition and personal wishes. Common methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. With the assistance of reasonable nutritional support and psychological counseling, the quality of life can be improved.

1Surgery:

For patients with early esophageal cancer who are in good basic physical condition, surgical resection of the lesion is one of the main treatment methods. Common surgeries include thoracoscopic laparoscopic esophagectomy and transcervical gastric tube anastomosis. However, the surgical risk is higher for people over 80 years old, and key indicators such as cardiopulmonary function need to be fully evaluated before surgery. At the same time, it is also very important to fully communicate the condition and prognosis with family members.

2Radiotherapy and chemotherapy:

When esophageal cancer cannot be treated surgically or the patient's physical condition does not allow surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be chosen. Radiotherapy can be used to control local tumors or relieve symptoms of restricted eating, and the regimens include three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are mainly combined regimens, such as paclitaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil, etc., which should be used under the guidance of professional oncologists, and the dose should be adjusted according to the patient's tolerance to avoid excessive toxicity.

3Palliative care and nutritional support:

Cancer in elderly patients is often accompanied by physical weakness. If the disease has reached the advanced stage, the treatment goal should be to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Swallowing problems can be solved by placing esophageal stents and gastrostomy to prevent malnutrition. At the same time, you can consult a professional nutritionist to develop a high-calorie, high-protein diet plan based on the actual needs of the patient, and add enteral nutrition preparations when necessary.

Treatment for patients in their 80s requires weighing the risks and benefits. Working with doctors to develop a plan can help choose the most appropriate treatment method, and family members must always provide emotional support and care to the patient.