| | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 | My brother went to get a dilation and the Dr was unable to get even the smallest tube through. What options are available now? Boy that radiation sure is a gift that keeps on giving!
Sister to Randy (47, nonsmoker)
Base of tongue, scc, stage IV, lymph node involvement
Dx Nov 2009, started rad/ chemotherapy 12/09,PEG tube
Finished 02/10
| | | | | 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 | He can always go for a second opinion. Read some of Charm's posts, hopefully he will answer this one. He is unable to take in anything by mouth. While its not an easy life, he has adapted remarkably well and depends on a feeding tube.
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: 12 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 | Thanks for the reply. I work in the OR and just wondered if there was a surgical solution, like replacement of the narrowed area?
Sister to Randy (47, nonsmoker)
Base of tongue, scc, stage IV, lymph node involvement
Dx Nov 2009, started rad/ chemotherapy 12/09,PEG tube
Finished 02/10
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 | Hi,
My esophagus had healed closed from a 1.5 year lack of use after chemo. The Gastro Doc was able to open me back up. He used a combination of pediatric devices and my PEG site. The ENTs were useless, find a good GI.
The McGowan center in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh (I do not remember) is working on replacement esophagus's. There was a sixty minutes piece that showed some highlights.
How is Randy?
11/1999 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2000 Met(s) in lymph nodes - modRND
2/2000-4/2000 RT ~6 weeks
end of 2006 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2008 SCC BOT - surgery / PEG installed
2/2008 chemo & RT
4/2008 last time I consumed solid food by mouth
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 | Thanks for the info, airkitty,
So strange that the PEG route was exactly what my brother had done today in Ca. They also had to change his PEG. I am hoping & praying this will work. I appreciate all the people on this forum who so generously give of their knowledge & experience. You all have been through so much yet still give back to others. I am awed every time I visit this forum with the courage & grace that is displayed. Thank you.
Sister to Randy (47, nonsmoker)
Base of tongue, scc, stage IV, lymph node involvement
Dx Nov 2009, started rad/ chemotherapy 12/09,PEG tube
Finished 02/10
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 | [quote=airkitty]Hi,
The ENTs were useless, find a good GI. [/quote]
Ditto. This is work for a GI. My ENT is great but dilation didn't start happening until I saw my GI for a different issue.
Mark
BOT Squamous cell, stage IIIa
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | My surgeon enlarges my thraot and Esophagus every 3 months. Have another dialation next month. I agree with Christine that he needs to see another Dr about this.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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