Endoscopy after surgery?

NikiMo
NikiMo Member Posts: 342
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hi,

My husband Jeff is an almost 3 year survivor of EC, he had his surgery in September of 2011, his last scan was NED.  Back in January he had to have an endoscopy becuase he was given iron which set off a severe GERD attack.  Spent hours in the ER for pain management.  The first endoscopy found some inflamation, but the biopsies were all negative.  He was also diagnosed with celiac deisease at the same time.  This July Jeff had a colonscopy just for his 50yr surveillance.  They did another endoscopy at that time.  Took more biopsies.  The doctor called Jeff and said he needs to see a specialist for Barrets, as it may have returned.  They are not 100% sure becuase they could tell if the biopsies were above or below the anastomosis.  Of course the specialist appointment is a month from now.  I am trying to wrap my head around this and get his appointment pushed up.  So here are my questions:

  • Has anyone else had follow up endoscopies after surgery?  Jeff was never told that it should be part of his follow up, he had routine CT scans, so just curious if others are getting routing endoscopies.  
  • If you had endoscopies have you been told about any irregularities and have had treatments for that?

Thanks

Niki

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #2
    I have had annual endoscopies since my esophagectomy

    Niki,

    I have had annual endoscopies since my Ivor Lewis surgery in 2009. They have noted some irritation in some of the earlier endoscopies and changed the dosage and frequency of my daily PPI (Omeprazole). I am a bit confused about their statement that they are not sure if the biopsies are from above or below the anastomosis. Video records of endoscopies are normally taken and kept and biopsies are normally labeled by location??

    It should be remembered that only a small percentage of Barrets progresses to esophageal cancer. If the biopsy was taken from below the anastomosis it would contain columnar cells typically found in the stomach since I assume Jeff’s surgery was like mine and the majority of his stomaphagus is resected stomach.

    I would certainly try to move the appointment with a specialist forward for both your and Jeff’s piece of mind but I would suggest it is WAY too soon to fear recurrence.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009

    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
    #3
    paul61 said:

    I have had annual endoscopies since my esophagectomy

    Niki,

    I have had annual endoscopies since my Ivor Lewis surgery in 2009. They have noted some irritation in some of the earlier endoscopies and changed the dosage and frequency of my daily PPI (Omeprazole). I am a bit confused about their statement that they are not sure if the biopsies are from above or below the anastomosis. Video records of endoscopies are normally taken and kept and biopsies are normally labeled by location??

    It should be remembered that only a small percentage of Barrets progresses to esophageal cancer. If the biopsy was taken from below the anastomosis it would contain columnar cells typically found in the stomach since I assume Jeff’s surgery was like mine and the majority of his stomaphagus is resected stomach.

    I would certainly try to move the appointment with a specialist forward for both your and Jeff’s piece of mind but I would suggest it is WAY too soon to fear recurrence.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009

    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

    Paul,
    Thanks so much for

    Paul,

    Thanks so much for getting back to me on this.  I find it strange that Jeff was never told he should have endoscopies, but we use two different hospitals and so maybe that is where the confussion was.  We just returned from vacation and asked Jeff if I could see the email that his GI sent him.  There are no biopsy results attached, just a letter.  In it she writes that the biopsies taken from the esophagus/gastroesophageal juntion appear to be Barrets Esophagus.  I am pretty confused by this statement since I didn't think Jeff had a gastroesophageal junction any longer?  In any event he will be seeing the specialist who is a GI doctor in town.  I just need to call on Tuesday and start my pleading for a date not a month away.  I am trying not to worry, but this all seems so inclusive.

    Again, thanks for responding, hope your having a nice Labor Day weekend,

     

    Niki

  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #4
    NikiMo said:

    Paul,
    Thanks so much for

    Paul,

    Thanks so much for getting back to me on this.  I find it strange that Jeff was never told he should have endoscopies, but we use two different hospitals and so maybe that is where the confussion was.  We just returned from vacation and asked Jeff if I could see the email that his GI sent him.  There are no biopsy results attached, just a letter.  In it she writes that the biopsies taken from the esophagus/gastroesophageal juntion appear to be Barrets Esophagus.  I am pretty confused by this statement since I didn't think Jeff had a gastroesophageal junction any longer?  In any event he will be seeing the specialist who is a GI doctor in town.  I just need to call on Tuesday and start my pleading for a date not a month away.  I am trying not to worry, but this all seems so inclusive.

    Again, thanks for responding, hope your having a nice Labor Day weekend,

     

    Niki

    In my thoughts & prayers

    Niki!

    I'm saddened to see a new fear has crept back into your lives. I hope by now you have received some better news from a GI specialist. Please know that you and Jeff are in my thoughts often.

    Hugs & Prayers to both you & Jeff! With love,

     

    Terry

  • BobHaze
    BobHaze Member Posts: 164 Member
    #5
    NikiMo said:

    Paul,
    Thanks so much for

    Paul,

    Thanks so much for getting back to me on this.  I find it strange that Jeff was never told he should have endoscopies, but we use two different hospitals and so maybe that is where the confussion was.  We just returned from vacation and asked Jeff if I could see the email that his GI sent him.  There are no biopsy results attached, just a letter.  In it she writes that the biopsies taken from the esophagus/gastroesophageal juntion appear to be Barrets Esophagus.  I am pretty confused by this statement since I didn't think Jeff had a gastroesophageal junction any longer?  In any event he will be seeing the specialist who is a GI doctor in town.  I just need to call on Tuesday and start my pleading for a date not a month away.  I am trying not to worry, but this all seems so inclusive.

    Again, thanks for responding, hope your having a nice Labor Day weekend,

     

    Niki

    Hi Niki:

    You may recall I

    Hi Niki:

    You may recall I also had my MIE in Sept. 2011.  I’ve had annual endoscopies, and my GI and surgeon both said right from the start that I should have them until I’ve passed 5 years post-op (God willing), along with 20 mg Omeprazole daily.  My July 2013 scope found inflammation just above the anastomosis at which time my GI doubled the Omeprazole to twice daily, and this year the endoscopy was normal (although there’s not much “normal” about our GI tracks! lol).  Jeff has probably seen the GI already and I’m hoping the situation has been clarified and resolved by now.

    I don’t come to this forum much anymore, ever since the William and Loretta incident and the start of the FB group, but I’m glad I did today because I found your post and Paul’s about William and Loretta, and I see Terry’s reply to your post…kinda like old home week!  So many of those we were close to back when our journeys started are no longer with us and I do grieve for them, but it’s nice to touch base with those of us who have been more fortunate, to share both our fears and concerns when issues crop up, and to share our good fortune overall.  I’m sorry Jeff was having issues when you posted in August, but at the same time I’m pleased he was still around to have those issues, if you know what I mean.  Melinda Chamberlain Bingham posted on the FB group a couple of weeks ago in celebration of her reaching the 5 year mark of her survival, and she and a few commenters said that while we’re all concerned by any new lump or pain in our bodies out of fear of recurrence, at the same time we know how blessed we are to be in the position we are in.

    Anyway, please let us know how Jeff’s appointment went and how he’s doing.  It was nice to hear from you.

    FEC,

    Bob

    T1aN0M0

    Dx   8/3/11

    MIE 9/23/11

  • GerryS
    GerryS Member Posts: 227 Member
    #6
    BobHaze said:

    Hi Niki:

    You may recall I

    Hi Niki:

    You may recall I also had my MIE in Sept. 2011.  I’ve had annual endoscopies, and my GI and surgeon both said right from the start that I should have them until I’ve passed 5 years post-op (God willing), along with 20 mg Omeprazole daily.  My July 2013 scope found inflammation just above the anastomosis at which time my GI doubled the Omeprazole to twice daily, and this year the endoscopy was normal (although there’s not much “normal” about our GI tracks! lol).  Jeff has probably seen the GI already and I’m hoping the situation has been clarified and resolved by now.

    I don’t come to this forum much anymore, ever since the William and Loretta incident and the start of the FB group, but I’m glad I did today because I found your post and Paul’s about William and Loretta, and I see Terry’s reply to your post…kinda like old home week!  So many of those we were close to back when our journeys started are no longer with us and I do grieve for them, but it’s nice to touch base with those of us who have been more fortunate, to share both our fears and concerns when issues crop up, and to share our good fortune overall.  I’m sorry Jeff was having issues when you posted in August, but at the same time I’m pleased he was still around to have those issues, if you know what I mean.  Melinda Chamberlain Bingham posted on the FB group a couple of weeks ago in celebration of her reaching the 5 year mark of her survival, and she and a few commenters said that while we’re all concerned by any new lump or pain in our bodies out of fear of recurrence, at the same time we know how blessed we are to be in the position we are in.

    Anyway, please let us know how Jeff’s appointment went and how he’s doing.  It was nice to hear from you.

    FEC,

    Bob

    T1aN0M0

    Dx   8/3/11

    MIE 9/23/11

    Old home week

    I am nearly 5 years out.   My onco has never suggested a endoscopy.  I have often wondered why.   I'm doing well.   Best to you all!   GerryS

     

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