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How To Treat Esophageal Blockage In A Cancer Patient Undergoing Chemotherapy?
My mum's sister (my maternal aunt/maasi) has a blocked food pipe and hasn't had anythin from the last 1 & a half month except for a few glucose injects and tries to have lil water, coconut water, a lil juice may be; majorly somethin liquid but that too takes a lot of effort and pain to go by.... She was already underweight even b4 the cancerous stage was diagnosed... She has further lost almost 12 odd kg's weight and the bones are visible primarily... we had gone for minor sessions of cemeo and radio tharapy but they aint seem to be helping coz she being underweight !! I seriously want to save her... but since she is not able to even eat anything of drink even; what can be done.... I belong to chandigarh & the treatment is being done at PGI over here.... I really look forward to hearing something which could help !!!
Her height is 5'2'', age-46, present weight around 35-40kg
Thanks......... regards; BHANU
Her height is 5'2'', age-46, present weight around 35-40kg
Thanks......... regards; BHANU
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Answered on
Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Cancer of the esophagus is a condition that causes obstruction to food passage. In your aunty there is probably a malignant mass in the esophageal wall that is causing limitation to the swallowing of solid food. In this condition there are few ways by which she can be helped.
After evaluating the malignant stricture, a metallic stent can be put in the esophagus. This works in many people but the risk of subsequent block persists. This will again cause a block to food.
The other option is inserting nasogastric tune and this is something they must have done. The food is made in to viscous consistency and then given using a syringe.
Th third way is operating and introducing a feeding gastrostomy. In this method the food goes directly in to the stomach and there is no requirement to feed by mouth. She can continue taking sips of water.
These methods are put in to practice after evaluating patient needs and different cancer treatment institutes follow their own methods to support patient nutrition in cancer of esophagus. Please do not worry.
Thanks for writing in.
Cancer of the esophagus is a condition that causes obstruction to food passage. In your aunty there is probably a malignant mass in the esophageal wall that is causing limitation to the swallowing of solid food. In this condition there are few ways by which she can be helped.
After evaluating the malignant stricture, a metallic stent can be put in the esophagus. This works in many people but the risk of subsequent block persists. This will again cause a block to food.
The other option is inserting nasogastric tune and this is something they must have done. The food is made in to viscous consistency and then given using a syringe.
Th third way is operating and introducing a feeding gastrostomy. In this method the food goes directly in to the stomach and there is no requirement to feed by mouth. She can continue taking sips of water.
These methods are put in to practice after evaluating patient needs and different cancer treatment institutes follow their own methods to support patient nutrition in cancer of esophagus. Please do not worry.
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