Barium swallow test - enough to rule out esophageal cancer?

[jamie_h]

I've had some trouble swallowing for a couple of months and an ENT suggested a barium swallow test. The results were relatively normal:

It mentions "delay as the bolus passes from the lower part of the throat without any obvious cause - so most likely a muscular function or relaxation problem." and that the "lining of the esophagus appeared normal after the delay".

Every time I google my particular set of symptoms, I end up reading about esophageal cancer. Should my barium result give me peace of mind and stop the worrying?

Thanks!

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have been diagnosed with Chricopharengeal muscle dysfunction/spasm/thickening after I've been battling with throat issues for more than 3 years!  I also had a Barium swallow test and that was normal.  I had anti-reflux/GERD surgery in 2012 and apparently the severe GERD is what triggered the Chrico dysfunction.

I had a modified barium swallow test the other day (similar to the normal barium swallow, but with this test you swallow food that was dipped in barium) and that was ABNORMAL as the food gets stuck on my cervical plate (neck-fusion) and in the middle of my chest.

You may have to go back to your ENT and ask him to do a Larynxscope test to rule out Chrico muscle dysfunction as that would explain the food delay/muscular dysfunction/relaxation problem.

The treatment for this condition:  medication (muscle relaxants), botillium injections into the muscle and Speech Pathology - exercises to get the muscle to do its job.

Hope the info helps and keep me posted :)

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hello,
It may not be possible to confirm the diagnosis without knowing your complete medical history, clinical examination and test results. Barium swallow is quiet helpful in detecting whether there is any cancerous growth or not. Other tests which can be done are endoscopy. During endoscopy your doctor examines your esophagus looking for cancer or areas of irritation and even biopsy can be taken to look for cancer cells. If you are not satisfied with your doctor’s diagnosis consult him again and clarify your concerns. Keep me posted.
Best wishes and regards!