Mass found on CT scan, going for an endoscopy and scared

I have very small molar situation. ER CT scan, and there is some thickening in my esophagus. Last September, I completed radiation therapy for vocal cord cancer. Everything seems to be going well n that front. This could be fibrosis, but the CT report said a neoplasm could not be ruled out. I go for my endoscopy on Monday.

I’m scared, too.

I'm a couple months ahead of you . Have the procedure ASAP..You won't feel a thing. The quicker you know what's going on. The quicker you can move forward.

I just found your post. I’m scared too! Today is Sept 7th I think your endoscopy was Aug 29th. I hope it went well.
I’ve been having swallowing problems with food, vitamins and even water. I thought it had to do with Parkinson's Disease. I cared for my Mother for 7 years. The last 3 years she had swallowing problems leading to aspiration pneumonia….over, and over, and over! In the hospital 2 weeks out of the last 5 months of her life. Her doctor finally said she needed to consider a feeding tube. Moms said NO! She would rather have quality over quantity for whatever time she had left. She just wanted to know if she would still be able to have a glass of wine. No, Mom! She had 2 swallow studies while I was with her. The reason I’m telling this is because I know it so well, so I was comfortable, even though it would be bad at least I have some knowledge about Parkinson’s Disease. Any alternative……not so much! My neurologist said it isn’t Parkinson’s and referred me right away for a “scan” was all he said. I thought about it for a few days and then wondered if it isn’t Parkinson's what could it be. So I started researching! I learned a lot more than I wanted to know! Once I read “the first symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing and by the time you have swallowing problems it’s frequently too late” Nice! Good to Know! I decided I was much happier with the thought of Parkinson’s Disease! Tomorrow is my scan, which I now know is just a barium swallow study. Now I’m not scared of the test itself I’m scared to death of the results! I’m 64, my only physical problem ever was a broken wrist at 57 while caring for Mom. I thought that was hell! I have a neurologist because I have mild to moderate cognitive decline and serious ADHD my whole life. Reading what you wrote mimics my feelings exactly! The intense fear! I took care of others, my husband passed a long time ago so I’m alone except for my 5.5lb Yorkie Faith. She would not be any help in case of a surgery! But she’s sweet! I worry about how I would deal with needing any kind of surgery! Who would take care of me?
I hope you will let everyone know how your appointment went and what the results were. I enjoyed reading everyone’s responses, very kind and informative! I didn’t mean to go on and on I guess I’m stressed! Thank You for listening! Charity Dianne

Good morning, I just read your post and I hope you went through with your endoscopy and all came out well.

UPDATE:

The oncologist that the er doctor referred me too, thinking I could possibly have lympha (remember I went back to the er on August 20th for fever, chills and sweats) called me on Monday and told me that he doesn’t think this is cancer, he thinks I need to see an infectious disease doctor, and he referred me to one. The send blood tests to Mayo for fungus’s, and they were negative. I have inflammation in my body, blood work says so, so something is going on, but at least the spot they seen on my esophagus is no longer there.

Was suppose to have my endoscopy done tomorrow, the hospital called and says I’m still showing positive for covid (one month later) and the hospital refuses to do the endoscopy because of covid policy (wait 28 days) and now they are booking into the middle of November!

So no endoscopy until November 11th to see if everything is okay in my esophagus, I’m so disappointed, I just wanted to get this over with so badly.

So I decided to look at My Chart, an online patient information, I can view my tests and anything else from there, I decided to click on my phone conversation write up with the oncologist and it says… referred patient to infectious disease and discussed chronic granulomatous disease….what? He never discussed this with me, I had to look it up to see what it even was! Why would this be in my chart when I’ve never even heard about it. If that’s what they are thinking this is, why wasn’t it discussed with me at all? I’m not sure what to think at this point.

Oh, okay, that’s good to know, I didn’t realize that. I will, thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it!

@klsmidwestmom,

Endocrinologists are much more than diabetes doctors. They are involved in the entire hormone system of the body. They are good doctors to meet especially when you have a variety of problems. Here is some information about this specialty from Mayo Clinic's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/endocrinology/news/endocrine-practice-changes-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/mac-20490513

No, I'm sorry, but I've never had any biopsy of the lymph nodes so I can't help you with that question.

Keep posting questions and concerns as you wait for answers.

No, I guess I thought that an endocrinologist was a diabetes doctor, but I must be wrong. Thank you for the suggestion, I never would have thought that it could be hormone related in some way, I will suggest that after I find out what my biopsy says. Do you know if it’s risky or if there is any effects to having biopsied of the lump nodes (I think they are in my chest)

Hello @klsmidwestmom,

You certainly are dealing with a lot of health issues, both for yourself as well as your daughters. You certainly deserve lots of good thoughts and prayers.

It is good that you are looking for answers to the myriad of problems you are experiencing.

Have you consulted an endocrinologist? Endocrinologists are doctors who are fine-tuned to all of the body systems and are good at looking at the whole picture. Your statement,

"It’s very odd that the night sweats and chills before were only the one week when I was suppose to be on my period," might possibly suggest a hormone-related problem.

An endocrinologist might be the type of doctor who could be of assistance right now.

You mention that your 17-year-old daughter will be having surgery. While I understand that you don't want to reveal the nature of her surgery, is it something hormone-related?

It is important that you provide the doctors with your complete family history, including your children.

I have an update. So the month of May, June and July, I didn’t have my period, I’m 45, so thinking I’m starting peri menopause, I had awful night sweats, chills and a low grade fever for those weeks. Now, August is here and I actually get my period, but I still have the night sweats, chills and a higher fever that won’t go away. I’m alarmed, so I take myself to the ER (one month from the last time I went with heartburn and they found something in my esophagus)

They run some different blood tests and found out I have inflammation somewhere in my body. The doctor decides she wants to do another CT scan to see if the mass in the esophagus is still there or has changed any. My white blood cell count was also raised some. Great news, the mass didn’t show up this time, so she’s guessing it was probably just food… but, my lymph nodes haven’t changed and one of them was a bit bigger.
She called an oncologist because she’s suspicious of possibly lymphoma or some auto immune disease, she asked me if I had any rashes, tick bites, etc…. The oncologist wants me to have the endoscopy and have lymph nodes biopsied. She also put me on an antibiotic for some bacteria in my urine.
I know there is something going on inside of me. It’s very odd that the night sweats and chills before were only the one week when I was suppose to be on my period. I’am very thankful that the mass didn’t show up in my esophagus this time, but I’am very frightened of what’s going on inside me. Any thoughts on this?

Just when I think things can’t get worse, my 17 year old daughter, who’s getting ready to start her senior year, has to have a major surgery that can have complications, we just found this out on Friday, I know she wouldn’t want me to share the details, but it’s so hard to focus on me, with all this going on. I’m devastated, and I don’t feel well enough to be there for my oldest daughter who is due in September 3rd, she wanted me to be in the delivery room with her, my first grand baby, so I’m praying these antibiotics take away my fever and night sweats. Could use any and all prayers, friends. Thanks for listening.