Discovered esophageal cancer: Should I get an appt at Mayo Clinic?

Posted by shermt54 @shermt54, Dec 5, 2024

Hello.... After doing a volunteer study for pancreatic cancer with ultrasound that they did with an upper scope, I was found to have a nodule in my esophagus where it connects to the stomach. that was done in july. they found high dyplasia cells but the sample was small....so oct 24 i had another scope done where they went in and removed the the nodule ...Three weeks later the biopsy came in and say it was cancer, but the doctor had left a note in chart that good news they think they got it all....the biopsy said it was cancerous , so now i have another appointment Jan 24, 2025 that they are going to go in and remove do another ablation because the cancer cells were close to the edge i guess...
The thing i worry about is the time from one procedure to another...I am not sure if its because the doctor is so busy or what ....is that a normal time frame from oct to jan for something like this....i wouldn't want it to spread....
So now i am wondering should i try getting into mayo or would i just be pushing the can down the road

any insight to your thoughts would be welcome .....Thanks

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mirandabrafford44 | @mirandabrafford44 | Dec 28, 2024

That is what I’m afraid of to because I have the rare one I guess but wanting to do another ablation but the first one I was too sick for 2 weeks and a few I was like an ice box and didn’t know it that was normal with after having the ablation done so now I’m afraid to have the second one done any insight let me know

memme | @memme | Dec 28, 2024

Colleen,
Thank you for your thoughtful follow up. I was diagnosed with Barretts and dysplasia then a small t1 nodule that was removed in October via EMR. I would advise anyone with Barretts that has a RFA approved by insurance to proceed. My first sessions were somewhat painful but I imagine compared to all these brave people on this website it was nothing compared to an esophagectamy. I had 4 sessions before they discovered the nodule. I have another follow scheduled for next month and then am planning on constant surveillance, etc. for the rest of my life. I am being treated at Norton Thoracic but have read that the staff at Mayo is top notch.