| | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi peoples,
Haven't been here for a while, but have a question. I am just over 6 years out since the end of radiotherapy and had a Colonoscopy and gastroscopy today (family history for the colo one, gastro for swallowing one, weight loss). The colo was fine, but the gastro? The doc couldn't get past a stricture in my oesophagus to venture further. He suspects the effects of radio, and also a vocal chord is burnt (now I understand why after some time of talking I have to pressure my self and I sound funny, to me anyway!). The doc mentioned a laser treatment to open the stricture more (I have trouble gaining weight and eating), lost my appetite basically, besides having the rotten teeth! Does anyone know much about this type of treatment? I'll be seeing my ENT in a couple of weeks, plus my GP this week.
Cheers!
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 138 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 138 | My esophagus almost closed completely after radiation. I had to have 10 dilation, one a month for 10 months. It helped, finally. However, it has been almost two years now and I think it is time for another dilation. You can usually tell when it is time because food and liquids lag in some areas when you swallow. I've never heard of the lazer method. Keep us posted on the outcome and good luck.
Nine years out. New normal with limitations, but surviving and living life to the fullest.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Visited my ENT/Surgeon yesterday and off for a Barium swallow test Thursday. My guy is highly respected so that's why I went to him other than this suggestion of laser (sorry, I still use an 's';-)!) Hopefully it may only be a balloon thingy, not a oesaphag...op. Will let you know, but it would be nice to gain some weight and swallow real food!
Cheers!
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Oh, and what's the balloon thingy like? Painful?
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Good luck with the test on Thursday. So sorry to hear that you are still going through so much. Us necklace ladies will have to get together again soon. It's eye ops. for me next - Right Oct 18 then Left 2 weeks later..no big deal!
Love
Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | So now it's going to be neck-less, eye-less & perhaps oesophagus-less next time? ;-) Dearie me!
Love, Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 | I'm checking in. Almost one year post treatment and the GI doc is considering dilation. I have a barium study scheduled next week to determine the amount of constriction.
Mark
BOT Squamous cell, stage IIIa
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 | Tizz, if by the balloony thing you're referring to an esophageal dilation, then it's not painful particularly - not at all when performed, as you're blissfully asleep. I find my throat hurts for 4 days to a week after one of these, I've had 4 or 5 of them. Mainly they're just expensive!
Hope whatever procedure you end up with goes well and is successful.
David 2
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi all,
Had the Barium swallow (interesting to watch) and showed reflux and possible after-effects of RT. My original ENT/H & N surgeon wants to investigate further and next month he'll put me under. Depending what he sees may put in a dilatation tube. At least things are not as bad as I envisaged!
Cheers!
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 Member | | Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 | Hi I had squama cell cancer on my tonsil and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I am a year and 3 months on peg tube. I have upper oesophical stenosis and am only able to swallow a trickle of water. My oesophagus was unable to be dilated because it has gone so narrow after treatment and I was unable to swallow barium for barium swwallow. Is there anybody with a similar problem? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Una, welcome to OCF. There are several here who have similiar problems. For the best results always start your own new post. That way your post will receive the attention it deserves.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 Member | | Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 | Thanks. Its good to chat and the problem is so rare. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 Member | | Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 10 | Hi I had squama cell cancer on my tonsil and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I am a year and 3 months on peg tube. I have upper oesophical stenosis and am only able to swallow a trickle of water. My oesophagus was unable to be dilated because it has gone so narrow after treatment and I was unable to swallow barium for barium swwallow. Is there anybody with a similar problem?
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi all,
Had my dilation yesterday under a general and the doc found the stricture. 24 hrs later I'm still sore in my upper throat, but panadiene soluble sort of helps. Probably will have another one - he said my throat was so tiny! No wonder I can't eat properly! Now people will believe me why I have had these problems (I'm one of those people who doesn't go to docs & dentists until there a serious problem ;-)) But at least I'm on the track again :-)!
Cheers!
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Glad they found it M...are you on a puree diet or can you eat something a little more substantial?? Of course this in is on a need to know basis  Love Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Back again,
Saw my surgeon yesterday and am booked in for another dilation, this time a water one up top. He showed me the op and where the problem is, scar tissue or fibrous tissue from radio of course. The first dilation has helped somewhat, but was painful.
Una, I never had a peg, just lots of banana smoothies, Sustagen and 'mulch' ;-), so can't help you there, hopefully someone can.
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Makes shopping easy and of course cheap.
Shall I get some mangoes or something more exotic for a smoothy.
How about smoked salmon or caviar?
Mulch..now thats a challenge!
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
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