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Just diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Hello group, I was just diagnosed with esophageal cancer a few days ago. My Gastro Dr. called me a few days after my Upper Endoscopy to say the Pathologist confirmed the cancer. For the last five years I've gone from Barretts esophagus to low grade dysplasia, to high grade dysplasia. The Dr. used Radial abrasion to burn it out twice and liquid nitrogen the third time, each time it came back. Now its cancer and I've been told to see a Thoracic Surgeon. I have no idea what to expect until I see him and was hoping someone can give me an idea. Tho good is obvious, but what will the bad be? Thanks in advance.
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@mzack, I'm sorry to hear that you have ongoing issues after successful treatment of Barrett's esophagus with cryotherapy that got rid of the abnormal cells.
Cryotherapy usually has minimal side effects. A rare complication is the narrowing of the esophagus and can make swallowing difficult. Have you been told that your esophagus is narrowing?
I wasn’t told anything like these. Once in the morning After few months of last ablation I felt like my esophagus was twisting a bit for a few second and I wasn’t feeling well since then. Now is always discomfort in the lower part of distal esophagus. I am not sure what would be next step as I am so depressed and in pain now .
I am reading a lot of comments here that about the prognosis is so bad of this kind of disease.
I do have follow up with my doctor tomorrow and ultrasound scheduled for whole abdomen.
Please pray for me.
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2 ReactionsYou might want to ask your doctor tomorrow if esophageal dilation might be helpful in your situation. You read more about it here:
- 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/
I had problems swallowing and food becoming stuck. VERY annoying. I've had about 6 dilations and now finally the opening to my stomach is the maximum width. It takes time to resolve this. Stay positive.
Everything will turn out ok. Have a great day!
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1 ReactionPrayers are with you.
Hello group, I hope everyone is doing well and appointments are going good. When I first posted on here I had just been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, I knew I had to do a CT scan and thought afterwards I would meet with the surgeon and get surgery. The process is anything but quick, I got a call from his nurse advising me of all the testing required before I get the consultation with him. I had no idea it was so in-depth, three breathing tests yesterday, a 3 hour stress test today and a few other tests scheduled. I guess as fast as I want this cancer gone, there are many steps to take to insure my body is healthy enough. I hope everyone is keeping faith and staying positive.
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1 ReactionHave you had cryo ablation before or anyone you might know. ?
By the way my doctor keep telling me I don’t have narrowing or any kind of strictures . But my nerve pain or whatever pain it is so uncomfortable!!
It sounds like the surgeon and hospital want to make double sure that they can provide you (and themselves) with a good outcome.
In my wife’s experience, following her chemo and radiation treatments, her surgeon was comfortable with waiting 2.5 months until surgery. That’s what we did, due to unrelated circumstances which caused the delay.
Hang in there!
I have a question my dad is going through this situation where he might have a Soffa go cancer but he doesn’t know until the 23rd. It’s been like a long process but he cannot eat or keep anything down do you are you the same way and he’s lost a dramatic amount of weight.
Are you not able to keep anything down and have you lost a lot of weight?