Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer! HELP!!!!!

Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Esophageal Cancer


My Mother, is a 62 year old woman. She has always been in good health. Since October she has been through Angioplasty and has ongong acid reflux. She has a feeling of being full of gas yet not able to pass it. She had a scope done Yesterday, the finding were one of two things, Esophageal Cancer or Viral Ulcer. The Docter seems to think it is Caner. From what I have read this spreads very quickley and is considered incureable. The Doctor said that Viral Uncers are extremley rare. Can you offer info on both and how they are treated? If this is Esophageal Cancer, what is the life exspectantcey?

Thank you,
Lynn

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Dear Lynn,
It is very important to obtain the pathology from the endoscopy. If your mother has an ulcer at the lower esophagus, she may have a benign condition i.e. reflux disease or Barrett's esophagus. However, if it turns out that the ulcer is cancer, your mother will need an endoscopic ultrasound of the esophagus and possibly a CT scan of the chest to stage the degree of spread. Depending on the findings surgery may be attempted. If resection is not feasible, then chemotherapy and radiation are offered.

If your mother has acid-induced reflux, therapy is directed towards inhibition of acid secretion.

This response is offered for your general information and should not replace the conclusions drawn from a careful and complete evaluation by your physician.

If you want, we would be happy to see you in the Division of Gastroenterology at Henry Ford Hospital, in order to review the records and perform the necessary investigations. You can arrange an appointment with Dr. Fogel, one of our experts in the treatment of esophageal disease. He can be reached by calling the Henry Ford Physician Referral Line at (800) 653-6568.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal ulcer, esophageal cancer, endoscopic ultrasound
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