A father diagnosed with cancer has been given just 12 months to live after first noticing a symptom while eating a sandwich.
Des Longstaff, 39, was enjoying a bacon and sausage sandwich at work when a piece of food became stuck in his oesophagus.
The landscaper’s doctor advised him to undergo an endoscopy, but before the procedure, he began vomiting blood and noticed blood in his stools.
On Christmas Eve last year, doctors discovered a 35-centimeter tumor in Des Longstaff’s lower esophagus.
Further tests revealed that the stage four esophageal adenocarcinoma had spread to his liver, significantly limiting his treatment options.
According to Cancer Research UK, this aggressive form of cancer is the most common type affecting the esophagus in the UK and is more prevalent in men than women. Unfortunately, it is typically incurable.
Unable to undergo keyhole surgery, Mr. Longstaff is currently receiving aggressive chemotherapy alongside immunotherapy, which aims to help his body recognize and attack the cancer.
Given just 12 months to live, he is now hoping to travel to Germany for a treatment that could give him more precious time with his five-year-old son.
Des Longstaff was diagnosed with oesophageal adenocarcinoma after experiencing unusual symptoms while eating a bacon and sausage sandwich.
Mr. Longstaff has been given 12 months to live but hopes to travel to Germany for new treatments that could give him more precious time with his five-year-old son.
His family is also exploring alternative treatments to help shrink the tumor, including herbal medicines, vitamin C and B12 IV infusions, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Speaking to Bristol Live, Mr. Longstaff said, “The NHS has only given me 12 months to live.”
He explained that his immunotherapy treatment is “palliative and is meant to keep me comfortable so I don’t die straight away.”
His mother, Tracy, has raised over £32,000 through a GoFundMe page to help fund his trip to Germany for a new treatment that could extend his life by more than five years.
She wrote, “Our beloved Des has recently been diagnosed with advanced oesophageal adenocarcinoma (T3N3MX), which is now stage 4—an aggressive and life-threatening form of cancer. This devastating news has shaken us to the core, but we are resolute in fighting this battle together.”
She added, “Des is unable to work and will not be able to for the foreseeable future. We are exploring new treatments in Germany to give him the best chance of a five-year-plus life expectancy.”
The ten-day procedure, which costs around £42,000, involves injecting his liver with a high dose of chemotherapy.
Doctors would then cut off the main tumor in his oesophagus from its artery, allowing it to die over five days before surgically removing it. His stomach lining would also be reinforced with a mesh to aid in recovery.
