Esophageal Cancer & Dilations

Hi Aimee... let me know how you're coming... your quality of life with your current esophagus and the state it is in. And if you are still NED... doing any further treatments, immunotherapy, etc.

I have known another patient who was technically never diagnosed with EC (might have gotten to a low or high grade dysplasia stage)... but whose esophagus was in such poor shape... she was offered and in fact did have, the esophagectomy. Weird to even think of this scenario... but if your current esophagus ain't gettin' the job done... your stomach makes an acceptable replacement. And guess what... it's fairly impervious to stomach acid... so it makes for a nice esophagus! I'm pretty much back to normal, eat what I want, and I actually eat a fair amount at one sitting now... like a Big Mac, some fries, and half a shake.

Be well,

Gary

I had chemo and radiation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and an esophegectomy at St Marys Hospital in Rochester. A month or so after surgery I did have an issue with swallowing and went back to Mayo for a dilation. I have had no swallowing issues since then and I eat a variety of proteins, raw and cooked vegetables.
My question to you is did you have the chemo and radiation in the Twin Cities as well as the swallow study?

@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/

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.

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.

@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/

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

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.

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.

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.