Recently Answered Questions
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Query: Hi doctor, Soft tissue neck CT scan said the esophagus is patulous. What does this mean? I am worried that I have esophageal cancer. I had untreated LPR, drank heavily for 10 to 12 years, and had an eating disorder for many years (severe restricting, chewing or spitting food, throwing up). Having hi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can see that you have quite a few concerns about your health, and I will try to address all of them. 1. Esophagus is patulous and is not an abnormality by itself, but it may indicate a condition called scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis. Mentioning this... Read Full »
Will taking a contraceptive pill in a woman with cancer cause serious health problems?
Query: Hello doctor, My friend has stage three esophageal cancer. Her doctor said that she is recovering well. She had unprotected sex with her fiance. She is in a panic now. She has planned to take Unwanted 72 pills to prevent a pregnancy. But my question is, will she have serious health issues if she tak... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have missed mentioning if the patient is currently on treatment or post treatment. If she is on chemotherapy or radiation therapy, she should not get pregnant. But taking contraceptive medicines does not affect cancer in any way. She can take these pills without ... Read Full »
I have on and off acid reflux as well as mild dysphagia. Is this esophageal cancer?
Query: Hello doctor,I am a 26-year-old male. I have been experiencing on and off acid reflux for a few weeks as well as mild dysphagia (strangely only at breakfast). I am afraid of esophageal cancer. I do not smoke and drink. I exercise regularly, and I am not overweight. I have no family history of any ca... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. First, I would like to reassure you that dysphagia and reflux symptoms are very common and more common than esophageal cancer. I want to reassure you that this is very unlikely to be esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is more common in older patients who have a his... Read Full »
I have a persistent hoarse voice. Is endoscopy needed?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had a scratchy/hoarse voice for over a month. For the last 7 days I have a feeling as if something is stuck in my throat directly in the center and as if someone is pushing on my throat. I have seen two different ENT doctors. The first one diagnosed me with rhinitis and globu... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The complaints you are describing fit into the following conditions: 1. Chronic laryngitis. 2. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). If there would have been a cancer, CT scan and barium swallow must have given an idea or hint. Since they were clear it is very unl... Read Full »
I have a burning sensation after a meal. Please help.
Query: Hi doctor, I get acid reflux almost every day after lunch and dinner. I do not consume alcohol or smoke. I always have a burning sensation in that region. Will this lead to esophageal cancer in the long run? Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. By your history and description, the possibility of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is more likely. I suggest you take Pantoprazole and Levosulpiride combination twice a day before food. Also take Mucaine gel (Oxetacaine, Aluminium... Read Full »
My 56-year-old father has difficulty in swallowing food. Could it be because of esophagus cancer?
Query: Hello doctor, My 56-years-old father has been complaining about difficulty in swallowing for four months. So we did an endoscopy and CT scan, and it looked like a 1.5 cm neoplasm. We thought it was esophagus cancer. But the biopsy showed no sign of dysplasia or metaplasia (in the first biopsy). Then... Read Full »
Dr. Manisha Raghunath Auradkar
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. The pathology reports are considered more accurate as the tissue sample is examined. So even if the CT (computed tomography) scan showed neoplasia-like features, a pathology report is followed when it comes to treatment. I have gone th... Read Full »
My wife has an esophageal polyp. Can it be cancer?
Query: Hi doctor, My wife had an endoscopy, and they found polyps in her esophagus. I am so worried that it could be cancer. Can it be cancer? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Polyps in the upper gastrointestinal tract are most commonly due to erosive gastritis, acid reflux disease, chronic H.pylori infection, peptic ulcers, etc. Yes, they could be cancerous growth too. To help you better, I need following details. What were her symptoms, for ... Read Full »
Are the symptoms of globus sensation and food sticking to the throat likely to be esophageal cancer?
Query: Hello doctor, For a few weeks, I have a globus sensation in my throat. Also, for a week or two, I have a burning sensation behind my breastplate (acid reflux), and food does not seem to go down as well as it used to go. I have a feeling that food is sticking in my esophagus. I have attached a CT sc... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for writing to us. There are no features of cancer of the esophagus in the CT neck scan images (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). There are few small bilateral cervical lymph nodes and are not significant. The esophagus is collapsed in t... Read Full »
Did my GERD symptoms worsen due to esophageal cancer?
Query: Hi doctor,I have GERD for a decade. I manage it by taking H2 blockers and antacids. I have heartburn on and off for the past few weeks. It becomes worse when I lie down. I do not have problems while swallowing and I have not lost weight. I am taking Prilosec for the past ten days and it takes care o... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I do not know the findings of your previous endoscopy. If you have attached it, it can help to provide you a proper diagnosis. Approximately fifty percent of the population develop GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) in their lifetime. Five percent of people with GER... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer last year, and she got surgery to remove 85 % of her stomach, followed by chemotherapy of six cycles which she completed in the first quarter of this year. All subsequent tests and scans showed promising results with no sign of cancer. A few ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your description says that cancer has advanced. So surgery is not feasible. I suggest taking an opinion from a radiation oncologist. If radiation is feasible, you can go for radiation and chemotherapy. If cancer has advanced too much even for radiation, it is not a goo... Read Full »