MSG treat two brothers fighting cancer together

Almost two years ago, in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, two brothers, Peter and Mick Crowther, both got the news that anyone would dread to hear. ‘You’ve got cancer’.

But having been treated at the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) over the past 18 months, Peter and Mick are a smiling success story, now both well on their way to remission.

From diagnosis to follow ups, their journey with cancer is near identical. Not only did the brothers receive their diagnosis within months of one another, they also had the same type of cancer – ‘oesophageal’ or cancer of the gullet. Following a course of chemotherapy to shrink the tumours, they both underwent surgery with MSG Consultant Upper GI Surgeon Mr Michael Van Den Bossche.

“Peter and Mick were quite unique patients of mine, it’s not every day you treat siblings for the same type of cancer at the same time, particularly not oesophageal cancer, “ said Mr Van Den Bossche. “Some cancers, like bowel cancer, are known to have a familial factor but it is quite unusual for oesophageal cancer. There are however certain risk factors such as smoking, drinking, acid reflux and obesity that can put people at a higher risk of developing the cancer. Men are also three to four times more likely to develop oesophageal cancer than women.

“Unfortunately, most cases in the UK are not operable due to not being diagnosed early enough. Symptoms only tend to develop when the cancer is already fairly large and so patients become too frail to have major surgery or the cancer is too advanced to be cured. Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, choking, vomiting, coughing and a hoarse voice.

“That was another fortunate similarity in Peter and Mick’s case, they were both in good health to have the surgery, known as an Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy. It’s one of the most invasive surgeries we do on the island.”

More than a year on post-surgery, Peter and Mick are now part of a surveillance programme of regular CT scans and blood tests to ensure the cancer has not returned, and they are very pleased with the outcome.  

Mick said: “It might be a bit strange to say, but I actually look back on the experience as an enjoyable period and a big reason for that is because of the brilliant care I received from the clinical team. Everyone treated me so well; I couldn’t fault a single thing. From start to finish, everything went very smoothly and ultimately couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome for me or my brother. I am very grateful to all the team particularly Mr Van Den Bossche and MSG oncologist Dr Manikyam, and to my wife who pushed me to go see the doctor in the first place.

“My sense of humour kept me in good spirits too. I was always laughing with the nursing team and creating some friendly brotherly competition between Peter and me. I joked with Mr Van Den Bossche that I knew my brother had 102 stitches after his surgery, so asked him to make sure I had more so I could say I won. As it happens, I did, just, at 106 stitches.”

Peter added: “I can only echo what Mick said. The team were just fantastic; the treatment was faultless, and I am immensely thankful to the MSG for their continued expert care.”

If anyone suspects they might have cancer, they should contact their GP in the first instance, who will refer them on to a specialist if there is cause for concern.

Pictured are Peter, Mr Van Den Bossche and Mick post treatment.