What is the success rate of early stage oesophageal surgery to remove cancerous cells in Barrett's?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi, I'm not a patient but my husband has been diagnosed with this condition. He had been suffering with acid reflux and heartburn for a few months until he decided to seek advice from the GP. He had an endoscopy in March and from the literature it appeared that although cancer was possible it was fairly rare, affecting about 1-2%, so he would be placed on surveillance. A biopsy was taken at the time and we were told there would be nothing to worry about. Then earlier this month he was recalled for a second endoscopy because they told him there were some slight abnormalities. Today we got told the bombshell that he had cancer and tomorrow he has to have an ultrasound endoscopy to determine how they should proceed, whether with EMR or surgery.

This has knocked the wind out of our sails completely and it's past 1 a.m. as I write this as I can't sleep for fearing the worst. He's only 52, never been in hospital in his life and he's scared. We've been told they caught it early but although they say the operation is fairly successful from what I read on the info on the net. so am I! He's gone from having Barrett's to being in that 1-2% group in one fell swoop!

2 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello WishiLFC , I can't help you as I don't know anything about Barretts, I am awaiting results of a biopsy questioning Barretts, but I hope you get some positive feedback at this very worrying time for you and your hubby.. All the very best wishes to you both . 
  • Posted

    Hi having read your post my husband also has barrettes oesophagus he has endoscopy done 3weeks ago then a colostomy 3days later and then a ct scan 2 weeks ago we had a letter to say he has low and high grade dyslasia and would need Emr or surgery then last weeke we had a phone call to say he needs a pet-scan which he is having next week and another endoscopy in 2 weeks we have not spoken to a specialist yet about it and we are very worried about it all and how long the results will take to come through I hope every thing goes well for your family 
    • Posted

      He also has had biopsies
  • Posted

    So sorry to hear about your husband, it's frustrating how they do not pick these abnormalities earlier, when the endoscopy has been done, and also they are constantly telling you cancer is very rare, and you will be fine, they usually advise agains operations. 

    More research needs to go into this disease. They don seem know enough about it, and think that the medication is going to fix everything.

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