GERD and possibility of cancer

[richm66]

I had EGD performed early October 2012.
DX: Esophageal mucosal changes suspicious for Short Segment Barrett's esophagus
LA Grade B esophagitis, biopsied
Gastric mucosal abnormality in the stomach characterized by erythema.  This was biopsied
Mucosa was biopsied in 4 quadrants.

Follow up biopsies were benign.

Recently, past few months, I have had upper back pain with, at times, radiating to chest.

More recently, I have become aware of my swallowing food in what appears to be upper esophagus and have a "numbing" feeling along my sternum.

Is it possible that I developed a squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma since my EGD in October 2012

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

It is great that your Endoscopy went so well!  Have a look at your over-all diet now and keep a food diary of what gives you symptoms and reflux and try to cut those foods out of you diet.

If you smoke:  stop.  If you are over-weight, loose it and if you have some more lifestyle changes that you need to make to get rid of all the GERD, then it is worth looking at eliminating them.

But keep on smiling :)  Anxiety will make any GERD or health problem worse.  Do some exercise to release serotonin (feel-good hormone) and if you have some underlying problems, discuss it with a Psychologist/Psychiatrist and get help and meds for your anxiety.

And keep on talking to us!  We're here to help :)

[richm66]

Thanks to all that replied.  (And I will try to keep on smiling).

I had a repeat upper endoscopy and I did not have BE.  (Per biopsy).

My esophagitis is gone, but I still have signs of chronic acid reflux and gastritis.

It is a good feeling to be able to discuss this with others.  I will need to continue on Dexilant and have repeat EGDs every 3 years.

I am chalking the chest pain up to extreme health anxiety.   I suffer from it tremendously.  

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have a long segment of Barret's Esophagus and I am in my late 30's.  I had the Nissen Fundo Surgery in Feb 2012 and will go for surveillance Endoscopies every 3 years or so, but I am not to worried about getting cancer from this.

I agree with Flycaster:  only a very small number of BE patients develop the active cancer and it is not something that happens over night.  It happens in stages and it is called dysplasia and further categorized into low grade, medium and high.

The back to sternum pains that you describe sounds typical of GERD but it can also be Gallstones and you have to go through a process of elimination.  I am also a heart-patient but my pains have always been GERD related and it has improved significantly since I've had my surgery.

The motility study is called:  Manomatry study and it is very uncomfortable but necessary to measure pressures of the UES and LES.  A few other tests can also be helpful for you:  Barium swallow or Modified Barium Swallow.

Unfortunately, to get a proper diagnoses and treatment, you'll have to get some tests done.

All the best and keep us updated, okay.  But keep on Smiling :)

[Flycaster305]

I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus several years ago, and of course was quite concerned.  My BE was caused by constant irritation caused by stomach acid, due to a defective LES valve and I had a surgery to solve the problem.  Subsequent biopsies show an actual decrease in abnormal cells.  The chances of BE developing into malignant cancers, I found out, are very small, like 2%.  
the inability to swallow has many causes.  If it remains a problem, I'd suggest you contact your doctor about have a Motility study done, which is a simple, but unpleasant procedure done in the doctor office to test the ability to swallow.
Back/chest pain can be a cardiac issue, I'm also a Cardiac patient, and I'd also suggest you mention these pains checked by your doctor.

[silverfox67]

     I am so sorry you have this problem... I was taking Dicyclomine (Rx) to help me swallow - works in seconds.
    As for cancer, I am not a doctor, so I don't know.  I do know that some cancer cells show up in lab work.  Or some antibodies that point to cancer.
     You said the follow up biopsies were negative!  Congratulations!  Good for you.
     So, was your gallbladder removed?  That's the first thing that comes to mind... gallbladder disease.  It is so common anymore that I wonder if what we eat is causing stones.  Canola oil has been modified and so many people use it to cook with - yuck!'
     You might try some modifications of your own - pun intended.  Try to eat only organic and change your oil to Grapeseed or Coconut.  Read the ingredients of everything you buy and stay away from HFCS  (High fructose corn syrup).  Corn has also been modified.  I think popcorn is still safe.  
     Watch: Food, Inc.  - It will open your eyes.

I can't really tell you what will work, but taking Probiotics and enzymes might help.  You might be harboring some bad bacteria in your gut.  
      You have probably been tested for H Pylori - so, what more can I say?  Did you have an EKG?  Did you see a cardiologist?  heart trouble can happen to young people any more... basketball players that fall down dead!  Just as a precaution, perhaps you could see a cardiologist to rule out heart trouble.

        
Wishing you the best... Silverfox

[richm66]

Furthermore I am in my early 40's.