Stricture treatment

tcaba
tcaba Member Posts: 41
edited August 2013 in Esophageal Cancer #1

Its been a  while.  It is now 3 weeks after my last of 6 high dose radiation treatments for recurrent EC. I find it becoming increasingly difficult to swallow.  Even liquids are slow to drain and sometimes quite painful.  The thought of a g-tube is really depressing, I love food too much. Surgery is not an option. Stents are questionable.  I have seen some info on self dilation using a Maloney dilator. Does anyone have any experience? Thoughts? A new body?

Comments

  • hughesjohnw
    hughesjohnw Member Posts: 10
    #2
    Glad to see you post

    Glad to see you post but sorry to learn you're having trouble with swallowing.  I don't know anything about stents, sorry.  I just wanted to say hi and that I'm glad to see you out here.  Take care.

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Stents

    When my husband's cancer at the cervical of his esophagus reoccurred, I asked the H&N Specialist about stents so my husband could eat and swallow.  (Surgery ruled out due to spread to his lungs and previous surgery in the same area and all of his radiation treatments).  I had read alot about them and many have problems, then again some don't.  The specialist told me that he didn't like stents because the cancer can grow into and around the stents.  My husband is able to swallow a little fluid but no solids and relies solely on his PEG tube.  My Aunt had stents to help her but she had more problems than help with them.  As far as dilations, this time it didn't help and now because of the tumor can't be done.  His esopahgus is very narrow.

    Research stents and talk with your doctors about them. 

    Sharon

  • tcaba
    tcaba Member Posts: 41
    #4
    stent update

    Seems Doc's are reluctunt to place stents due to tissue growth into stent, movement of stent, pain and discomfort associated with stent, inability to biopsy site if solid stent is used...seems a list of relevant issues to me.  I have researched and inquired about self dilation using a Maloney dilator. That seems fairly common on patients with benign strictures due to cause other than cancer.  I have been told that I have a ways to go before seeking that option.

     

    Here is a good video of the procedure youtube.com/watch?v=FIRiPny4n6Y

  • callerid
    callerid Member Posts: 96
    #5
    Hi

    No info for you but wanted you to know I was glad to see your posts. Self Dilation???

  • LauraandLarry
    LauraandLarry Member Posts: 184
    #6
    Self dilation

    Sorry to see you are having so much difficulty. A few months ago Larry's surgeon began to teach us how to do self dilations at home. It ended up Larry did not nedd to do them. However a friend of ours had to do them several times a day. He said after a few days it was easy. Maybe your surgeon can show you> Good luck

  • callerid
    callerid Member Posts: 96
    #7
    LauraandLarry said:

    Self dilation

    Sorry to see you are having so much difficulty. A few months ago Larry's surgeon began to teach us how to do self dilations at home. It ended up Larry did not nedd to do them. However a friend of ours had to do them several times a day. He said after a few days it was easy. Maybe your surgeon can show you> Good luck

    Larry

    How's Larry doing now? Hopefully some of his issues are being resolved and he's feeling better and more optimistic.

  • LauraandLarry
    LauraandLarry Member Posts: 184
    #8
    callerid said:

    Larry

    How's Larry doing now? Hopefully some of his issues are being resolved and he's feeling better and more optimistic.

    Well hello there!

    How is everything with you? How are you holding up? Larry is up and down. A little more optimistic. He is eating more. Having many swallowing issues. Dr wants more tests but Larry is refusing. He is very thin. I am sure in time he will have tests. They want pet/ct of neck and chest. Also ultrasound of carotid arteries and EEG. He says no for now, stubborn!

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