This past week I had the second endoscopy since the end of my radiation treatment on May 29th. The first one disclosed a web partially blocking my esophagus, which my GI doc removed (it was scar tissue from the RT - no spiders involved to the best of my knowledge). This time the web had grown back to completely block the esophagus, which certainly explains the swallowing difficulties I'd been having. It had got to the point where I was unable to get anything down larger than a large grain of salt - had to cut pills down to chips, and I haven't had the courage to try anything solid so still live on the Ensure family of delightful beverages.

My doc, whom I trust, tells me that we're in "uncharted territory", and that as I get further and further away from radiation this web shouldn't be continuing to grow back. Yet he wants to do another scoping in 2 months, or earlier if I begin to note swallowing difficulties. He also told me that we were lucky to discover it when we did, when it was still removable and hadn't become permanent. Yikes. From the look of the pictures he took this week I'm amazed I was even able to get the liquids down.

So, folks... who out there has had a similar experience, and what can you tell me about it? Or am I alone in these weird waters?

Many thanks.
David the 2nd

My husband had one (partial) based on a swallowing test post-treatment. His doctor warned us that removing it might lead it to come back (like scar tissue) and could be worse. He did the scope and it easily moved aside so it wasn't anything that led to trauma leading to more scarring. There are others on this board that have had recurring trouble with this issue so their stories might help you. I think some use something called a bogey? to keep their esophagus open. Hopefully, one of them will respond to your post or you could use the search function to look at past posts.

Good luck finding some answers- Sophie H.

Sophie, thanks so much for responding so quickly. I'd already searched for web in here, and adding bogey to it likewise returns no hits - but thanks for the suggestion. I'm glad to hear that your husband's case ended positively!

D2

I think the lack of replies here is an issue of the terminology that has been used by the doctor. I think this is an Esophageal Stricture, and lots of people here have had them. Do a search under that (or just stricture) and you will find lots of posts. Also confirm that this scar tissue growth, which is common in people that have had radiation therapy, is what occurred.

Brian, many thanks for that. I did indeed do some post reading about esoph. stricture - as you said, there was plenty there - and also read a few articles about it.

Based on what I know I don't believe that's what's been happening with me, however. The various wiki and other entries on stricture speak of it as a narrowing of the esophagus caused by the build up of scar tissue. In my case there didn't seem to be any narrowing - once the doc broke up the web, which looked very thin and malleable in the pictures, my esophagus was open and clear and appeared to be unmarked. Of course I'm far from an expert.

Perhaps the true definition of a stricture is what might have happened had this web been allowed to grow to permanence(?) In any event I'll read the rest of the posts on stricture to get a larger sense of these problems.

Thanks again.
D2

Hi, David,

I found the name of the poster who used a bougie (I spelled it wrong). He posted under fogelbergfan. Nelie is another poster who has had her esophagus "stretched." I imagine you've found most of those posts by now.

Sophie H.

David I get scoped approximately every 3 months so thaty we stay even with my esophagus. I had a a blockage a couple of times and the Doc cleaered and biopsied it each time. I would bet I have another blockage as we speak. I go in Nov for another scope and biopsys. Good luck to ya man and keep smiling to confuse people . LOL

I had to have a Nissen Fundiplcation on my esophagus. This is where they wrap 1/3 of your stomache around your esophagus. It works to stop the reflux but you sure do know of it's presence. Good luck with your esophagus and whatever they decide to do to it.

Thanks, Sophie and Jim. Sophie, yes, I found the correct spelling in the posts and I'll look up those posters you mentioned.

Jim... read about that Fundoplication and it doesn't look pleasant at all. I can only imagine your docs felt it was the only thing for your condition, and I hope it's working out as best as can be expected. I have a feeling that I too will be experiencing the tender mercies of the Endoscope on a pretty regular basis from now on. Got a chuckle out of your smile line, and man do I need it!

Thanks again to you both.
Deetoo

David
I finished 3 rounds of chemo{5fu,one started with a c and t. went in the hospital for 5 dayys each time. Than got a few teeth pulled and started 38 radation treatments. Did not swollow for two full months. Started to get a very small pill down. Noticed i could get nothing else down. I had blockege in esophagus. Said it was scar tissue from radiation. They did a dialation of my throat.ram a tapered tube down my throat a few times. It was better right away. I would still chock on any meat though. It has gotten progessivly better. Gained 30 pounds back. it has been a year sence i stopped radiation. They never cut me and i was very advanced toncil cancer. Hope this helps
Jeff Daneke