I recently had an endoscopy because of swallowing difficulties and although no biopsies were taken a lump that takes up a quarter the size of my oesophagel stump was found and photographed. I had oesophagectomy for Achalasia back in 2004. After the endoscopy i asked the doctor about this lump as they showed the photos to me. They said that it is not scar tissue from the oesophagectomy but looked odd and recommended a Barium Swallow ASAP which i am having next Tuesday morning. I can only swallow a little soft food because of this lump and if i try more i bring it all back up. This vomiting happens at night too which is disturbing me. I am due to see surgeon on September 17th and will get Barium results then. Could this lump (it looks normal in the photos) be removed if it is benign? It is interferring in my swallowing as it is taking up space.
Lump found in oesophageal stump. - Oesophageal & Gas...
Lump found in oesophageal stump.
It will all depend on the location, how high up it is towards the throat, and where the join is from your original oesophagectomy. It is something only your surgeon can answer. I do suggest that you speak to the specialist nurse so that you can get the answer to your query.
One thing I would say is that I know of a lady who had a recurrence of oesophageal cancer high up towards the throat many years after her original oesophagectomy, and she was successfully treated with chemo-radiotherapy and is alive and well to tell the tale. But every case is of course different from everyone else's.
Thank you for answering my question. It is rather worrying for me right now. I will talk with the surgeon and ask to see the pictures again so that i can see for myself where the lump is. I think from what i can remember the lump is just above the anastomosis. The doctor who did the endoscopy said that the surface of the lump looks like normal skin so i don't know. Seeing the surgeon on September 17th for a chat.
Many thanks for your support. I am a bit anxious about having the Barium Swallow this time because the lump was found on my last swallow and when i had the grastrscopy just lately they found that the lump had grown so we'll see with the Barium tomorrow.
Had the Barium Swallow a few days ago and boy have i got problems and not with the lump in my throat either although the doctors says that the lump looks ok for now and will need removing at a later date. But what they found on the Barium Swallow has upset me rather. You know when you have the oesophagectomy and they make a new feeding tube with the stomach and pull it up ito the chest? Well apparently i have a very bad stricture at the bottom of this tube where it goes through the diaphram! The Consultant Radiologist came out an dtold me the bad news tha i will need a dilatation in that area done in theatre in case of rupture! Well i got upset as you can imagine. The consultant told me the chances of a rupture in this area is pretty high and that i need to talk to my surgeon ASAP. Well i told her that i am due to see the surgeon on September 17th for a consult. So we'll se what happens. Can they remove that bit of stomach tube where the stricture is if the dilatation fails?
Hi Christine,
Only just seen your posting. Hope today went better than you hoped and you have got some answers to your problem. Just a suggestion but it might be an idea to repost this query as a new question on the site to get some answers as old postings seem to sort of drop off! All my best wishes.
Charlie
Don't worry Charlie. I talked with the surgeon yesterday and he says that the lump is benign and not to worry about it because there is a more pressing problem going on with my Pyloric Sphincter in that it has gone very narrow. I have posted again about this. Thank you for your concern though.