Very Concerned

[Sophia62]

HI Dr.,

I am 35 years old and have had acid reflux for around 3 years. I do not drink or smoke.  Do not have cancer of any type in any of my relatives.  We do have HEART DISEASE though. I am getting an endoscopy in 3 days, but I have convinced myself I have Esophageal Cancer and wanted your opinion.  My Dr. says he things that I may have Barrett's but has not told me anything about cancer.  I wasn't worried until I got on the internet.

I have the following symptoms:
1. Reflux-so much so that it is a large amount that sometimes goes up into my nose and into my sinuses.  It is small pieces of food and liquids (Ice tea, etc.)
2. Feels like food gets stuck in my esophageas, like it is difficult to burp at times (can feel like I want to, but can't let it out).
3. Extreme amounts of belching and burping, sometimes with food, sometimes without.
4. Some pain in my entire esophagus and throat.  Sometimes none.
5. Difficult to breath sometimes, and coughing after the reflux comes up.

I haven't had any blood, I have not lost weight, I have not vomitted blood or vomitted at all.  No blood in stools, etc.

My Dr. thinks it may be a Hernia or just GERD, but is giving me the scopy just to rule out Barret's.

I am convinced that I have cancer.  Is there anyway it could be something else?  I have read everywhere that this cancer usually effects people in the 45-70 age range and that even in those ages it is rare, but I have all the symptoms.

I think if it was just Gerd or Hiatal Hernia, there would just be belching and some small amounts of reflux, but not all the symptoms above.

1. What are my chances of cancer?
2. If I do have cancer, is there a good chance I could have an earlier/treatable stage?
3. Is it possible to have the symptoms above and have a lower stage cancer or am I doomed to have stage 3 or 4 at this point?
4. Can cancer develop after only 3 years of GERD? (Drank in College 15 years ago, no smoking, very little bad meats with nitrates, NO CANCER IN FAMILY HISTORY)

Please help, I would very much appreciate your help as I can't sleep, etc.

[mala1]

What's the DIET for GERD? should have read more carefully comments above, haha:

1.ANY SIMPLE CARBS will cause too much fermentation so:

2.ZERO: sugar, any flour, starches, potatoes, coffee, pop, processes foods, alcohol. NO commercial cereals and NOTHING from cans or boxes!
Shop ONLY on the perimeter of a grocery store to buy food in their basic form- veggies, meat, fruit, etc. Do not go into the aisles for food.

3.Don

[CWA41]

Hi Scott, I wanted to let you know I just recently made a post also regarding similar symptoms and I know the anxiety that comes along with them. I have had acid reflux for years and have had multiple Upper Gi's, etc done  as well as an endoscopy/colonoscopy about 3 years ago. They found a benign polyp in the colon 3 years ago, I am now 31 and just had my colonoscopy and endoscopy done again the end of last week because the symptoms started repeating. They found a polyp in the colon as well as one in my esophagus this time around so trust me I know the worrying you are going through as I now have to wait 2 weeks for the results. The GI has it listed as a papilloma which is the majority of the time benign and I have spoken to multiple doctors online to get input and they all come back with the same thing...stop worrying until you need to worry and I know better than many how hard that is to do as I have a panic disorder as well. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in the worry department and I hope all goes well for you. Look at the big picture though the symptoms can be caused by many MANY things and in addition taking it from a statistical stand point your age, etc. You are in the low risk category just as I am.. No one in my family has ever had any type of cancer, or major problem thank the Lord but it is human nature to panic when we ourselves are not in control of an outcome.. Take care Scott.

[sobeeddie]

Going nuts....maybe two diff things...anyone?

Similar symptoms on the upper body (breathing is not normal, breads feel to get stuck, and pains around the navel and back) but also slight discomfort around the pelvic area as well (where the colon would go? which I believe is due to a lot of gas I have had lately).

I have always had bouts of reflux, every once in a while a strong attack but not very often.  Monstly just some feeling of gas going up (i cant burp) then settles down and eventually became gas.  Since July...all out of whack!  Bloated daily, breathing etc etc.

Scheduled for an upper endoscopy on the 11th.  Scared to death.  Grandfather died of a type of stomach cancer.  While MDs say grandparents are not as worrysome, hey its my body and Im scared as heck of either esophageal, stomach or colon cancer.  

No "visible" blood, appetite is good, stool is good, weight is good.  Just the pains and breathing discomforts.

Q:

Any good websites on hot to make GERD happy foods?  With eveything to avoid not much left to eat....water? lol

Any ideas anyone who has had similar symptoms? Have a 1 yr old daughter and this is causing lots of anxiety.


Thank you in advance.

Eddie

[mala1]

Kalio, the problem is that doctors CAN'T diagnose.
I know from experience- fianc

[ILNAPER]

I had all the same symtoms of you Scott and was sure I had cancer. I even had acid going into my lungs at night which sometimes still happens.

I had the scope done and everything was fine. I have a hernia and Gerds.

[yoshi]

could be a case of not enough stomach acid!

[Kalio1]

Do yourself a favor and stop trying to diagose yourself on the net. All you will do is scare yourself and cause anxiety. Im not sure why you dont believe the doctor you sound like a case of GERD. Why pay a dotor for his opinion and then not believe him? If you dont ike him, get aother opinion but trying to self diagnose on the net wont help aything or give you answers that will help you. Making the leap to esophageal cancer is a big leap. Good he is checking for Barrett's but I doubt you have it. Be careful of what you eat and drink. many things make GERD worse. Stay off the net for medical diagosing, if you want to research something look up foods and beverages to stay away from with GERD and dont take in anything that aggravates it, you will feel better immediately.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) I cannot give odds or probabilities without examination.  Cancer is possible, but less likely compared to other causes such as motility disorders, GERD, hiatal hernia, or esophageal strictures.  

2) I cannot answer that without knowing the size, stage or location.

3) Esophageal cancer at any stage can present with the symptoms you describe.

4) GERD leading to Barrett's leading to esophageal cancer likely would take more than 3 years.  The upper endoscopy is the definitive test looking for esophageal cancer.  Keep in mind that there are many more benign causes that can also lead to your symptoms as well.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_