Last week I had a fall from my Cerebellar Ataxia an finally went to the ER about 5 days later. They did a CAT Scan an discovered that I had broken 2 lower flank ribs. The problem that concerns me is that while reading the scan she tells me that my Esophagus looked to be slightly enlarged and that this might indicate Esophagus Cancer....This has me extremely worried. I have no symptoms of that and the G.I. doctor will only do a phone interview which I don't feel is good enough. I'm 72 and the Ataxia has, and is, making my life hell, an now I can't stop thinking about the possibility of cancer too. Can anyone add hope to deal with all this? I'm also worried about the tests to check this. Endoscopy scares me. Would an MRI be better or something to do also? Really appreciate any helpful advice. Thanks in Advance!!!
Esophagus Cancer: Last week I had a fall from my... - Ataxia UK
Esophagus Cancer
😕 I’m so sorry you’ve been told this, and you’re unable to have a face to face appointment.
A few years ago I had an Endoscopy, there was the option to have a general anaesthetic, but I chose to have a numbing spray because recovery time was quicker.
Try to bear in mind something else may have caused the enlargement..I know someone with ataxia who is diagnosed with Achalasia.
Beware of other conditions that can mimic esophageal cancer:
Esophageal varices.
Achalasia: also a risk factor of ESCC.
Benign tumors: Papilloma, Lipoma, polyp, fibrolipoma, hemangioma, neurofibroma, leiomioma, hamartoma, cysts.
GERD.
Reflux esophagitis.
Caustic esophagitis.
Infectious esophagitis.
Esophageal ulcer.
More items...
cancertherapyadvisor.com › es...
Thank you so much for your help. Since I ave no symptoms, I'm feeling a little better seeing your reply. THANKS Again
I think it is highly unprofessional of the doctor to suggest cancer without listing all the variety of other reasons why it could be enlarged.
Surely they should diagnose before they scare!
And then they should take time to discuss options of diagnostic approaches and find the way forward which will give them clear answers and make you feel comfortable and safe!
I am fed up with extremely lazy and useless medical “professionals” hiding behind the pandemic, it seems to have given them the right to treat people any which way they want to!
Why do we allow it I wonder!
I am a great believer in seeking second, third, fourth, etc opinions until you stumble across a clinician who has empathy and wants to treat patients to the best of their abilities.
Please don’t be scared and keep in mind that they are paid to look after you, and you have the right to ask for treatments which suit your needs.
Good luck
Hi terryzx. Sorry to hear that you are worried at the moment. I have had two eosophagus inspections and like wobblybee I opted for The numbing spray. For me the procedures were slightly uncomfortable but not painful and didn't take long. The hospital maybe just want to rule out cancer as well as other conditions before making a definitive diagnosis. I have ataxia with a motility disorder that mimics Achalasia type III. Apart from that my eosophagus is clear. I do wish you well and hope you feel better soon. I think it is better to find out what the problem is quickly so that any treatment (if any is needed) can be started. Modern medicines are improving all the time. Good luck👍
Thank you all for the replies. I'm afraid to be sedated. I did my colonoscopy un-sedated so I'm hoping that if it is necessary, I can do the endoscopy the same way. Getting kicked out frightens me so unless absolutely necessary, I would rather no be sedated. I'm hoping that an MRI can give proper results and not have to endure a camera being shoved down my throat.
I've had a colonoscopy before Teresa and found this to be more uncomfortable than having the endoscopy tube inserted down my throat. They were half way through through the colonoscopy procedure when I had to tell them to stop! I know that we are all different though.
Thanks. Mine was not pleasant but it was tolerable at least. Found nothing in my colon so if I have to do this, I hope that also find nothing. I saw there are several other methods that I might want to ask for first. An MRI would be much easier I feel, so might ask to so that indeed as I saw where the MRI has slightly better accuracy.
Don’t worry about an endoscopy - I’ve had several (to rule out an ulcer)as well as 24hr monitoring of my swallowing. I’m terrified about anything being forced down my throat or nose, but always opt for the drug ( like Valium) that means I don’t remember anything and no after effects. This is NOT the spray and not anaesthetic I believe, as I believe they can’t anesthetise you for an endoscopy. I’ve been able to come home straight after on the tube (pre Ataxia!) by myself, and felt fine. Not drowsy or anything!
If there was any real concern about cancer, I’m sure they would investigate without delay. ‘She’ should not have worried you like she seems to have done, or said what she did. I think swallowing issues can come with Ataxia. So far, I don’t have these but they always ask. I am getting more messy with my food though, cough more and swallow more air. I don’t think they use an MRI to diagnose esophogal cancer.
Phone consultations are not always suitable, though video phone is ok for some things, like SLT. I had a consultation via phone recently which was Audio (Hearing) - ridiculous!
Judy
Thanks Judy. I'm just very worried mostly about a possible cancer even though I have no symptoms what-so-ever. Being how aggressive it is, I can't help but be very concerned if they did find any. This Ataxia is bad enough so another worry is not needed. Thank you much.
Yes, worry and anxiety has a lot to answer for! Perhaps get Cancer ruled out (via Endoscopy) then focus on your Ataxia (which won’t go away) and anxiety! I’m sure ‘they’ would have fully investigated a cancer if there was any concern. Maybe contact your consultant if you’re concerned.
Thanks for your reply
Spoke with my doctor who is on the best doctors list. He looked at the CAT Scan an tells me it does not appear serious...HOWEVER...he wants to do an endoscopy to be sure. Says it just appears inflamed but wants to find out why. So I have to go in an get mild apathetic so he can go down my throat. UGH!!! Not happy about that, Getting knocked out really scares me a LOT. But it's set for afternoon of the 20th and my senior group is going to drive me there. Would not let me drive myself....also need to do a Covid19 test 6 days before....I can drive to that one. The doctor did a video call a few hours ago. And saw that I don't have any of the signs that could indicate cancer. Says it's likely just inflamed...so that makes me feel better. Not thrilled to be knocked out...not so much the locked out part, it's the waking up part that worries me. I'll report on how it goes afterwards. Thanks for all your thoughtful replies....
Tuesday October 20, 2020. Got up at 3:40am a got clean clothes out. Took a shower. It was hard to do. This Ataxia seems worse
Weighed in at 187. Not horrible.
Put new pants on.
Then called that doctors office to see if I can bring a copy of my insurance an I find that they scheduled me for in Norwood where I got that Covid19 Test last week..
So called Julie an told her. Timing is still about the same to get there so she is still coming at 12:15am
So messed up that they didn't call. I could have gone to the wrong place
Julie got here right after 12. She helped me into the van an we were off to the endoscopy place.
Got there an gave them my papers. Then we sat in the waiting room for a short time an I got called quickly.
They wanted to weigh me an I had a very hard time standing balanced on the scale. Finally got my weight dressed at 191.
Then gave me socks with rubber pads on the bottom to keep me from slipping....
After I changed into a gown I went into the next room an got into a bed. They brought me a heated blanket an the nurse verified all my meds an medical history.
Then got a needle stuck into my right hand. After that they wheeled me down the hall to the end room.
I had asked what drugs they'd be using an was told Propothal. No Versed. I was glad about that. Tells me that makes it very fast acting with no lingering effects.
Asked me to scoot up more an turn on my left side. Then they put a white plastic ring in my mouth an the next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room 10 minutes later.
They told me all went well an found nothing but a slight inflammation that was completely normal. They showed me the photos. There was no reason to biosopy any tissue.
The doctor who was quite young came in an tells me all went well. I asked him to pull is mask down so I could see his face as I told him I have a colonoscopy due soon that I'd like him to do....
I quickly felt fine an got dressed. They had called my ride an she was at the side door. The nurses helped me back in the van an we left for my home.
Thinking back on all this....if I'd have known how simple and quick and painless and easy it was, I would not have been so anxious about doing it.
I had an oesophagectomy in 1971. It was revolutionary then. In my case it was for a tear in the oesophageal. They made a few mistakes which caused a few difficulties but they were learning. I AM STILL ALIVE AND TRAVELLED THE WORLD FOR BUSINESS. I am so grateful and have 4 sons. Don’t be afraid. They had many techniques nowadays to identify problems and fix them. I used capitals to emphasise that it is not a death sentence. Let look to find out the problem and if necessary fix it. Best of luck
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