Liver enlargement and Varices

LitlCJdoll
LitlCJdoll Member Posts: 245 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello Head & Neck cancer forum,

It has been months since my last post.  I am home trying to recover from another painful esophageal dilation-- I have been having these over and over every 4 to 6 Weeks, since late 2018.  Before then, I had them sporadically.  But my radiation treatments for my head & neck cancer, summarily destroyed my esophagus, causing esophagitis, bleeding, Ulcerated areas and complete Obstructions.  I now have a specialist who specializes in Opening strictures..

Anyway, my Cancer returned, 1 year after my radiation treatments...More surgeries... And right now I have a mass/ lesion in Hypopharynx beside the vocal cords , which was first biopsied Moderate Dysplasia .  It improved after Laser surgery-- but oh, now it is growing again and showing textural changes.  So, I have it Biopsied again, soon.

My question concerning Liver and the Varices--  I am a tiny 75 pound female, and I cannot eat/ have not eaten since March 2017-- thus, I am 100% dependent on tube feeding...

2 recent C T scans revealed that I now have an Enlarged Liver ( and all my Labs from liver work up, are Normal !!)-- And also revealed is that I have collections of Gastric and Esophageal Varices, and they are Outside the stomach, surrounding it, and around the distal esophagus.

Anyone else here, with Head & Neck cancer, have enlarged liver and associated Varices?

My G I surgeon in the hospital today, told me he is getting me an appointment with a Hepatologist... He is going to ask her, it she will see me for consult. I guess that's a first step.

I would love to hear from anyone here!

Light & love,

Crystal

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,465 Member
    #2
    Crystal

    I cannot give an opinion or first-hand experience with what you are dealing with. I would just like to say you have been dealing with a lot and it sounds like you are handling it pretty well. You seem to be in a continual battle with cancer or some sort of side effects so I am praying you see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. Certainly hope the Hepatologist can offer some help. Take Care-God Bless

  • LitlCJdoll
    LitlCJdoll Member Posts: 245 Member
    #3
    Thank you russ!

    Hi!!

    How are You!  I do remember that many months ago when I last posted here, that you were going through a very rough patch.  I hope that responded to treatment??

    The surgeon I had yesterday has emailed me no less than 6 times today.  Yes, he is very attentive to me, because I'm a complex case, and in years past ( pre cancer) I have had 2 separate esophageal Perforations requiring long hospital stays, surgery & antibiotics.  So now, with discovery of those Varices, he is even more worried, when I have problems...

    I am MUCH more concerned though, about this growing / changing mass in my Hypopharynx.  My biopsy is soon, under some type of sedation. And that doctor is my second year & neck surgeon whom is Director of Voice & Swallowing program here at Wake Forest.  I have been here, at this School of Medicine/ Comprehensive Cancer Center --- for 27+ Years now!! I came here in Pediatrics in 1992.  My cancer was diagnosed March 13, 2017.  I am Stage Iii Recurrent head & neck cancer.

    I will check in later, dear, and I So hope that you are doing better !! Are you in treatment, on immunotherapy ?

    Take good care,

    Crystal

     

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