Radiation Damage/Blocked Esophagus

I was waondering if anyone out there has developed a blocked esophagus(scar tissue) after they received radiation treatments for tongue cancer. My husband went through 7 major chemo's with 35 rounds of radiation for a stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma. Had a G tube inserted 12/28/05 and his last radiation treatment was 2/13/06. He cannot swallow anything including water. Last week they did an endoscopy but said his esophagus was closed up. He is scheduled for ct scan tomorrow. The Drs. are not optimistic and said worse case scenerio he might be on a feeding tube the rest of his life. I was also wondering if there is a specialist for this. We live in Georgia but would travel if need be. Thank-you sybil

Sybil, my husband also endured radiation for throat cancer. I thought he was doing sufficient swallowing by sipping water but evidently it was not not happening. My husband was diagnosed with severe dysphagia 12/05. His esophagus was not blocked and he had speech therapy to strengthen his swallowing muscles. Don was making headway and then we found out that his cancer had metastasized to other parts of his body. That ended his swallowing exercises. Anyway, we recently met with his ENT and told us that sometimes they enlarge the esophagus surgically. This was not necessary in my husband's case but perhaps it is something you could discuss with your doctors.

I wish you and your husband lots of luck.

Eileen

P.S. another website that you might find very helpful is www.oralcancerfoundation.org

It was founded by a head and neck cancer patient.

Sybil,
My husband's chemoradiation ended September 2005. He too had a blocked esophagus - unable to swallow a thing. His ENT wanted to dilate him from his PEG tube, but he decided to see a GI doc. The GI doctor was able to do a dilation orally. It turned out that his esophagus had a spasm and was closed shut. He is swallowing just about everything now (except for a thick steak and potato chips) and his last ct scans have been clear. I see you posted about a month ago. How are things now?
Sheila

Dear Sheila,

Thank-you for responding to my message. It seems my husband has a zencor diverticulitus that was on the left side of the base of the tongue and the scc was on the right. The ENT and the RO believe this polyp became swollen from the radiation and we were told that they cannot do anything (surgically) for a year. The polyp may go down by itself. Who knows?
We were told by both DR.'s that his cancer was curable. We never knew what a hellish treatment this is.

Take care and am glad your husband is doing well.

Sybil,
I just read your message. I have been undergoing repeated procedures for blocked esophagus from radiation and am now undergoing therapy to rebuild my "swallowing" muscles which are completely atrophied. I am from Georgia.
I underwent a dilation on 4/13 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta after no one could help me in my home town, four hours away. My ENT went in from my throat and my GI went in through the opening in my feeding tube. They were able to find an opening and dilate my esophagus. Then my GI was able to dilate me also. I have undergone a total of five procedures and scheduled for a sixth next week. Still not able to swallow even though my esophagus is opened because my muscles are shot and a scope showed that I am aspirating food, but I am continuing treatment and the doctors are optimistic.
I will be glad to share the names of my drs or any other info you would like if you will reply to this message. I have been really pleased with the treatment I received there. I would encourage you to seek a second opinion if you have not already done so. I wish I had done that to begin with so I would not be in this state.

My father is 71 years old.  He has had cancer 3 times of the esophagus.  He had 72 radiation treatments and chemo, 14 years ago.  Last Feb., the drs figured out his esophagus was nearly closed shut and his food was going into his lungs.  One doctor said if he removed his voice box , his esophagus would expand open and he could eat again..but he first got a feeding tube to start gaining weight and strenth.  well, once the box was removed the skin around his throat area that had the radiation treatments, just died and eroded away.  It has been a year and two months and his throat will not heal...he has had surgery after surgery to try and close up his throat...he cannot talk...he is living on the tube feedings...and is going to the hyper barrack chambers every day. 

I am his baby girl and it is killing me to see my father and mother endure such agaony on a daily basis.  If anyone has any information on how he can get his throat to close...anything...I would listen!

love, daddy's little girl in Louisiana!  Jazzy

 

On 4/16/2006 Sybil wrote:

I was waondering if anyone out there has developed a blocked esophagus(scar tissue) after they received radiation treatments for tongue cancer. My husband went through 7 major chemo's with 35 rounds of radiation for a stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma. Had a G tube inserted 12/28/05 and his last radiation treatment was 2/13/06. He cannot swallow anything including water. Last week they did an endoscopy but said his esophagus was closed up. He is scheduled for ct scan tomorrow. The Drs. are not optimistic and said worse case scenerio he might be on a feeding tube the rest of his life. I was also wondering if there is a specialist for this. We live in Georgia but would travel if need be. Thank-you sybil

Sybil,

I have a blocked esophagus (scar tissue) and am looking for treatment. I have been to a couple of doctors who tried dilation without success. I wonder if your husband was successfuly treated, and if he was what treatment was used. Thank - you. Georgealex.

 

On 4/16/2006 Sybil wrote:

I was waondering if anyone out there has developed a blocked esophagus(scar tissue) after they received radiation treatments for tongue cancer. My husband went through 7 major chemo's with 35 rounds of radiation for a stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma. Had a G tube inserted 12/28/05 and his last radiation treatment was 2/13/06. He cannot swallow anything including water. Last week they did an endoscopy but said his esophagus was closed up. He is scheduled for ct scan tomorrow. The Drs. are not optimistic and said worse case scenerio he might be on a feeding tube the rest of his life. I was also wondering if there is a specialist for this. We live in Georgia but would travel if need be. Thank-you sybil

I know this is an old message but does anyone have the same story? My fiance has gone through  the same thing. His cancer was stage 4 squamous cell in his nodes in the neck and went through 12 weeks of chemo and around 42 rounds of radiation. Needless to say it permantly destroyed his esophagus and he will also be on a feeding tube the rest of his life. he can't swallow anything at all not even a drop of water. One dr. has told him they could remove everything and pull his colin up and attach it but he could never speak again. had they told him this could have been a remote chance of happening I doubt he would have allowed them to be so aggressive with the treatment. He is very depressed. His good news of him being cancer free has not helped his state of mind at all. We are going to Emory in Atlanta  for a second opinion but his ENT has told him about the same thing as the first dr. Does anyone have any advice or support?

Thanks

Kathy