Esophageal Cancer & Dilations

Welcome, @aimeef, congrats on being in remission. Heavy scarring from radiation and getting dilation is something that fellow members @davidwrenn @puprluvr and @lori57216 are familiar with. They may have some tips about the esophagus closing in again, despite dilation.

You might also appreciate the thoughts shared in this related discussion:
- Anyone know of exercises or therapies to improve swallowing? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/therapy-for-swallowing/

Sorry the stent didn't help. What options is your team suggestion next? Have you tried self dilation?

I had to have mine dialated every month for awhile. Then we figured out that the acid reflux was contributing to the stricture tightening so once that was fairly under control ............. now I go in every 6 weeks. It does get better~~

Good morning-I did have dilation once several weeks past my surgery and that fixed my swallowing issues. I was also prescribed Prilosec to take care of the acid reflux. I also made changes to my diet such as after my evening meal, I do not lie down for 2-3 hours. You may have to adjust your sleeping schedule and eating schedule to achieve an empty or near empty stomach b4 bedtime. For instance, last night my meal was beans and rice with a baked tomato topped with cheese on top. I slept 9 hours straight thru.

I myself are in the same boat. I am in hyperbaric treatment right night and am considering self esophageal dilation. Do you have any thought on that. My scar formation was enough I had to have the PEG tube put back in due to weight loss.

My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year. Had radiation before surgery and a few months after the surgery, the cancer has spread to his liver. He is now on Herceptin, Keytruda, and Capcitabine. He also has to go in every 4-6 weeks for dilation. Still does not lie down to sleep. The problem is the acid reflux and coughing and having to go in every 4-6 weeks for dilation.

“Self esophageal dilation”? Can anyone shed more light on it?
Thank you.

@jahuja1, you can learn more about esophageal self dilation in the expert blog post and video with Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Dr. Magnus Halland.

– Esophageal Self Dilation Therapy: An Effective Alternative https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/esophageal-self-dilation-therapy-an-effective-alternative/

My husband is 4 years out from treatment of Stage II (T3 N2 M0) HPV positive oropharyngeal (base of tongue) squamous cell carcinoma. He had 7 weeks of chemo and radiation, no surgery.
He is still not eating enough to get rid of his feeding tube. In the last 6 month or so it's been harder for him to swallow, plus he is getting heartburn lately as well.
Did a swallow study in the Twin Cities in Oct and they found there is Esophageal impairment present as the barium tablet did get stuck at C6 level. But now I feel like they are just shoving us round to different places and not really doing much about it. Was really hoping that they would do a balloon dilatation to stretch his esophagus so he has an easier time swallowing and maybe then he would be able to eat other foods that he currently doesn't because it gets stuck. Even some of the pills (smaller than the barium tablet) have been hard for him to swallow. Why is it so hard for someone to say yep let's stretch it................we're the ones paying for it so why the runaround.
Just so frustrated and was hoping that someone here could give some suggestions as to what we can do.

I had my first Dilatation about 2 years post treatment for the same thing, same reasons swallowing etc, etc.

Cut a long story short, I've probably had over 100 dilatations, most recently without sedation or anasthetic.

I have just started teaching myself , self dilatation.

In answer to your question, why don't you just straight out ask them why, they have not done a dilatation(s).

After you get the answer, I might be of more use.

Cheers
Bruce
HOBART. AUST.

@moro, I can't answer your questions about the runaround you're getting, but I can connect you with others like @drupoint @aimeef @davidwrenn @puprluvr and @lori57216 who have had esophageal dilation or stretching.

You can see helpful posts in these related discussions:
- Esophageal Self Dilation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-self-dilation/
- Esophageal Cancer & Dilations
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-dilations/
.
You might also appreciate this video from Mayo Clinic:
- Esophageal Self Dilation Therapy: An Effective Alternative
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/esophageal-self-dilation-therapy-an-effective-alternative/