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Bristol, UK – What began as a seemingly ordinary lunch has turned into a desperate fight for life for 39-year-old Des Longstaff. While enjoying a bacon and sausage sandwich, Longstaff experienced difficulty swallowing, a symptom that would ultimately lead to a devastating diagnosis of stage-four oesophageal adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer that has spread to his liver.
Longstaff, a landscape contractor, initially dismissed the swallowing issue, questioning if he simply hadn’t chewed his food properly. “It sort of got lodged in my oesophagus, and I had a good pint of water, but it still wouldn’t budge,” he recounted to BristolLive. “It was to the point where you’re thinking you’re choking. I thought to myself, ‘Am I not chewing it properly?’”
Following the persistent discomfort, Longstaff sought medical advice, leading to an endoscopy referral. However, before the procedure, he began experiencing alarming symptoms, including vomiting blood and blood in his stool. Hospital examinations on Christmas Eve revealed a 35cm tumour in his lower oesophagus. Further scans revealed the cancer’s spread to his liver, drastically limiting treatment options.
Longstaff has commenced immunotherapy and chemotherapy, aimed at managing the cancer and prolonging his life. “It is palliative, and it is to keep me comfortable so I don’t die straight away,” he explained. “The NHS has only given me 12 months to live.”
Determined to spend more time with his five-year-old son, Longstaff and his family are exploring alternative treatments abroad. His mother, Tracy, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £43,000 for specialized treatment in Germany. The proposed treatment, costing €52,000 (approximately ₹46.5 lakh), focuses on targeted therapies to address the liver metastases.
“Des is unable to work and will not be able to for the foreseeable future. We are exploring new treatments in Germany to give Des the best chance of a five-year-plus life expectancy,” Tracy wrote on the GoFundMe page. The campaign has already garnered significant support, raising over £31,000.
Longstaff remains optimistic about the German treatment approach, citing their “totally different outlook” and belief that “there is no such thing as terminal.” He detailed the treatment plan, which involves targeted chemotherapy directly into the liver, cutting off the blood supply to the oesophageal tumour, and surgical removal.
“They are going to cut off the main artery to the main tumour in my oesophagus and let that die for five days,” he explained. “They will then cut it out and scrape around my diaphragm and around my stomach lining, but they will build the stomach lining up by putting mesh.”
Longstaff’s story highlights the importance of seeking medical advice for persistent symptoms, even those that may seem minor.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information reported by the Mirror and BristolLive. Medical information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of1 your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.2 The information presented regarding alternative treatments in Germany is based on the subject’s account and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee of efficacy. Individual results may vary.
