Urgent! need answers? Anyone had Esophageal Dilation

mrk5301960
mrk5301960 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello everyone my name is Mark I'm a 7 year nasopharnex stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma Cancer Survior. In 2006 I started having swallowing problems, food stuck and not going down constant coughing increasing dysphagia.
M epiglottis doesn't close over. These problems are due to radiation treatment which caused a lot of scar tissue.I have severe Esophageal Stricture. I'm scheduled next week for Dilation I also have trismus approx 1.5cm which means I cannot open my mouth that wide at all due to radiation treatment which is what most head and neck patients have. My ent while I'm under general Anesthesia will stretch my mouth wider in order to see down by throat for the esophageal dilation. These are just muscles being used when my mouth is stretch wider has anyone had this done. To include Esophageal Dilation with severe stricture.I need to know everyones experience who has been thru this or in the process of going thru it. Thanks in Advance

Comments

  • MLC53
    MLC53 Member Posts: 109
    #2
    I am only 5 mos post radiation and had to have 3 esophageal dilations already. my esophagus shrunk from the normal adult size of 18 mm to just 6 mm. Dilations are usually pain-free unless the esophagus tears like mine did. Freshly radiated tissue is more sensitive to tearing. Now I am dealing with some pain upon swallowing from the healing tear/scar tissue. I also have scar tissue from the radiation. I was told that dilations are the norm for throat cancer survivors. Since you are 7 years out of treatments, hopefully your dilation process will go more smoothly. Hope this helps. Good luck to you and keep us posted
  • mrk5301960
    mrk5301960 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    MLC53 said:

    I am only 5 mos post radiation and had to have 3 esophageal dilations already. my esophagus shrunk from the normal adult size of 18 mm to just 6 mm. Dilations are usually pain-free unless the esophagus tears like mine did. Freshly radiated tissue is more sensitive to tearing. Now I am dealing with some pain upon swallowing from the healing tear/scar tissue. I also have scar tissue from the radiation. I was told that dilations are the norm for throat cancer survivors. Since you are 7 years out of treatments, hopefully your dilation process will go more smoothly. Hope this helps. Good luck to you and keep us posted

    Thanks (MLC53)For responding I hope and Pray For your speedy recover. I appreciate the information. Also do you know what type of Dilation was used on you? was it the ballon type or the Guided wire Bougie or another type.
  • MLC53
    MLC53 Member Posts: 109
    #4
    mrk5301960 said:

    Thanks (MLC53)For responding I hope and Pray For your speedy recover. I appreciate the information. Also do you know what type of Dilation was used on you? was it the ballon type or the Guided wire Bougie or another type.

    i believe the doc used the guided wire for my dilations. good luck and keep me posted.
  • mrk5301960
    mrk5301960 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    MLC53 said:

    i believe the doc used the guided wire for my dilations. good luck and keep me posted.

    Hi MLC53 I had my surgery on Nov 28 my doctor used the bougie dilators ,for serial dilation beginning at 24-french and sequentially increasing to a 60-french bougie which easily passed. They said estimated blood loss was Minimal. I was released the same day. They had me swallow some water which went down great. I can only eat soft foods untill after my check up on Jan 8th. I 'm also going to start Swallowing Therapy to strengthen my muscles. I also ordered another Thera bite machine called The Dynasplint to help increase my mouth opening due to Trismus. I'm so Thankful that I'm able to eat again. Thanks again for all the info you previously provided me.

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