Oesophageal stent gap

Hi

Although I can't answer your question I noticed that you hadn't had any replies so maybe no one in this group has had this or the person with the right experience hasn't seen your post yet. By replying to you it will 'bump' it back to the top of the page where it will be more easily seen again.

You could also speak to your CNS, as he or she should be able to explain this to you, or post your question in ask a nurse and one of the specialist nurse will respond within 2 working days.

When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Hi Gill

Not specifically heard that term but I do know about stents, my hubby had 2 because he has 2 tumours upper and lower he took sick with aspiration pneumonia and was unable to eat again post stent insertion, whilst he was in hospital they said he had a gap (suspect they tumour had grown over slightly) so fitted a third overlapping the other 2

Carol xx

Can you tell me first hand a little more about the stents  please.. My dad's oncologist has said it will be a last resort as its very painful to have fitted and painful afterwards... Is this right.. 

Hi Liz P

My dad aged nearly 90 has had 3 stents and none have caused him any pain or even slight discomfort.  He had his first stent 20 months ago but it slipped out into his stomach after a few weeks and it is still there causing him no problems.  He had the second stent fitted very quickly after the first and that remained where it should.  14 months ago he had some tumour overgrowth so they inserted the 3rd stent.  

Dad had the sedation each time and was fine.  Dad weighed eight and a half stone when he had the first stent but I got him back up to eleven and a half stone within 6 months.  He was ill earlier this year with pneumonia and lost two stone but has since put another stone back on so he is now back at 10 and a half stone.  

I have no doubts that the stents saved dads life as without them he could no longer eat.  He is heading towards 2 extra years of good quality life because of this.  I personally think that it is amazing that such a simple procedure as an self expanding tube could make such a difference to dads quality of life.

I have heard others report that a stent can be uncomfortable but my dad doesn't even know it is there.  He has to be careful with what he eats but I make him tasty food.

Perhaps your dads doctor does not want to give your dad a stent too early.  If your dad is still able to eat at least something then possibly they are waiting.  A stent was the only treatment available for dad because of his age and frailty.  No chemo or radiotherapy because he has alzheimers and that would get worse so I think that he has done amazing.

Wishing you and your dad well.

I think it depends exactly what level they are placed at. My husband had one placed (very high as it needed to be because the obstruction was swollen lymph glands) just 6 weeks ago. It is very painful. Painful to swallow and painful to talk. I am fighting to get him to eat enough. .

That said, there is sometimes no alternative. 

Viv

That could be quite likely Tivvy Dad had his placed quite low as his tumour is at his oesophageal gastric junction (I think) so it is low down in his chest.  He sometimes taps his chest after eating to make himself burp but that is the only side effect he has had and it has been 20 months now.

As you say sometimes it is the only alternative and maybe dad has been lucky.

Thank you.. 

Thank you Latchbrook xx

Thank you Carol 

i hope your husband is doing ok xx